f.Sarfain  .tetlp! 


MEMOIR 


MISS  MAEGAEET  MEECEE, 


BY 


CASPAR    MORRIS,  M.  D. 


Nibil  human!  a  me  alienutn  puto." 


SECOND  EDITION,  WITH   ADDITIONS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

LINDSAY  &   BLAKISTON. 

1848. 


Entered,  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1847, 

BY  LINDSAY  &  BLAKISTON, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District 
of  Pennsylvania. 


Win.  9.  Young,  Printer. 


PREFACE 


THE  rapid  sale  of  the  first  edition  of  this  little 
work  exhausting  it  within  a  few  weeks,  and  the  de- 
mand for  the  second,  has  afforded  the  most  gratify- 
ing evidence  to  the  editor,  that  he  did  not  over  es- 
timate the  worth  of  Miss  Mercer,  nor  place  an  un- 
due value  upon  the  amount  of  good  influence  he 
hoped  would  result  from  the  dissemination  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  traits  of  sanctified  character  dis- 
played in  her  letters,  and  the  few  incidents  it  was 
in  his  power  to  collect.  As  the  contemplation  of 
things  beautiful  and  pure,  not  only  enkindles  in 
every  bosom  the  wish  to  attain  to  beauty  and  purity, 
but  produces  the  actual  accomplishment  of  the  desire 
it  excites,  it  is  important  to  present  constantly  to  the 
minds  of  the  young  especially,  such  subjects  as  shall 
draw  out  aspirations  after  that'  "  holiness,  without 


iy  PREFACE  TO  THE 

which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord." — Piety  could  not 
be  presented  with  a  more  attractive  aspect,  than  that 
it  wore  in  the  character  of  Miss  Mercer. 

When  the  author  first  undertook  the  grateful  task 
he  has  now  accomplished,  it  was  with  the  almost  cer- 
tain expectation,  that  abundant  material  would  be  fur- 
nished from  the  correspondence  she  was  known  to 
have  maintained,  with  friends  of  congenial  spirit,  and 
pupils  to  whom  she  was  attached  with  the  warmest  af- 
fection. In  this  he  has  been  disappointed.  Numerous 
letters  he  found  had  been  destroyed  at  her  own  re- 
quest. In  other  cases  the  persons  to  whom  they  were 
addressed,  felt  themselves  restrained  from  furnish- 
ing them  for  publication  by  her  known  reluctance  to 
subject  her  letters  to  the  eyes  of  others,  than  those 
to  whom  they  had  been  addressed.  Some  indeed 
that  would  have  been  especially  interesting  were 
destroyed  by  her  own  hand.  Many  still  in  existence 
are  scattered  in  remote  positions,  inaccessible  to  the 
editor.  The  purity  of  her  thought,  the  graceful  ease, 
yet  dignity  of  her  style,  render  her  letters  even 
upon  common  subjects,  interesting.  But  when  she 
touches  the  keys  which  cause  the  deeper  cords  of 
the  soul  to  vibrate,  she  brings  forth  such  harmony 
as  fills  the  heart  with  sensations  kindred  at  least  to 


SECOND  EDITION.  V 

those  we  shall  know  in  that  higher  state  of  existence 
to  which  she  was  ever  tending  with  a  steady  flight. 
The  following  letter,  taken  from  a  packet  received 
after  the  last  sheet  had  gone  to  press,  contains  so 
much  of  the  pure  gold  of  consolation  for  the  be- 
reaved believer,  wrought  with  a  skill  so  exquisite, 
that  the  temptation  to  present  it  even  here  is  irre- 
sistible. It  was  written  while  she  was  at  Mrs.  Gar- 
nett's  school,  at  a  time  when  the  waves  of  affliction 
had  passed  heavily  over  her  own  soul,  and  was  ad- 
dressed to  a  relative  suffering  under  a  severe  be- 
reavement. 

"How  much,  my  precious  cousin,  have  I  wished, 
in  your  present  affliction,  that  I  could  make  it  con- 
sistent with  my  engagements  to  be  with  you.  How 
truly  have  I  been  with  you  in  spirit!  for  I  know 
that  trusting  perfectly,  as  you  do,  in  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  our  Father,  yet,  for  the  time,  this  ex- 
pression of  His  will  must  be  a  grievous  trial.  I  am 
consoled  for  your  sufferings  by  the  reflection  that 
such  events  (in  those  who  have  true  faith)  always 
lead  to  a  closer  walk  with  God  ;  and  that  you,  whose 
thoughts  have  so  long  been  employed  in  realizing 
the  nature  of  our  future  Canaan  and  its  dear  delights 
will  look  upon  your  sainted  Juliet  as  merely  travel- 
1* 


VI  PREFACE  TO  THE 

ling  a  stage  before  you,  and  being  already  watching 
anxiously  for  your  arrival.  Blessed  land  of  promise! 
how  joyful  should  be  our  pilgrimage  here,  after  we 
have  come  within  view  of  the  shrine,  and  see  the 
beloved  spirits  which  are  worshipping  around  it! 
Even  now  I  behold  a  circle  of  my  dearest  earthly 
treasures,  my  best  beloved  friends,  seated,  like 
Mary,  at  the  feet  of  Jesus — receiving  the  full  tide 
of  infinite  and  eternal  wisdom  from  his  lips. 

But  not  like  poor  Mary's  are  the  spiritual  minds 
to  which  the  blessed  things  of  that  third  heaven  are 
addressed.  No  veil  of  flesh  clouds  the  perceptions 
of  truth :  and  your  dear  Juliet,  doubtless,  looks  back 
with  unalloyed  gratitude,  to  see  that  even  the  tears 
which  now  dim  your  eyes, — the  pangs  which  now 
shake  your  feeble  frame,  are  all  means  of  purifica- 
tion, and  are  all  completing  the  glorious  work  of 
sanctification  which  must  be  wrought  in  the  chil- 
dren of  the  resurrection  before  they  go  hence. 

Rejoice  in  suffering — how  foolish,  how  enthusias- 
tic to  the  worldling  is  this  idea — and  yet  how  clearly 
defined, ho w  well  founded,  how  rational,  how  honour- 
able to  God  and  consistent  with  long  experience,  is 
the  Christian's  profession  of  rejoicing  in  suffering, 
— seeing  that  the  '  Captain  of  our  salvation  was  per- 


SECOND  EDITION.  VII 

fected  through  suffering.'  My  beloved  cousin,  I  re- 
joice with  you  in  your  sufferings.  I  thank  my 
heavenly  Father  that  neither  you  nor  I  have  been 
left  without  chastening.  Even  now,  in  the  third 
watch  of  the  night,  a  little  before  that  hour  when 
the  mourners  went  to  be  comforted  at  the  tomb, — 
paying  their  last  duties  to  the  beloved  dead,  and 
receiving  the  glorious  evidence  of  life  and  immor- 
tality in  another  state — now,  when  the  whole  earth, 
except  the  sick  and  sorrowing  are  buried  in  sleep — 
I  have  raised  myself  on  my  bed,  to  express  to  you, 
my  dearly  beloved  friend,  the  sincere  delight  with 
which  I  reflect,  that  though  Satan  may  bind  you  in 
the  cords  of  human  infirmity  lo  these  many  years, — 
yet  Christ  has  wrought  the  miracle  which  is  to 
make  you  straight."  ....  Sentiments  more  pure, 
language  more  appropriate,  feelings  more  sublime, 
it  were  vain  to  seek.  May  they  find  their  way  to 
many  a  broken-hearted,  bereft  mother,  and  fill  her 
with  '  peace  and  joy  in  believing/ 

Many  incidents  illustrative  of  her  active  benevo- 
lence have  been  narrated  to  the  editor,  but  so  in- 
volved with  the  feelings  of  living  friends  as  to  ren- 
der it  improper  to  detail  them  in  print.  Here  they 
would  add  lustre  to  her  crown  of  human  praise. 


Vlll  PREFACE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 

Hereafter  they  will  prove  the  truth  of  the  declara- 
tion of  Jesus  himself,  "They  that  turn  many  to 
righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom 
of  my  Father." 


CLINTON  SQUARE, 
February  18th,  1848. 


PREFACE  TO  FIRST  EDITION. 


IT  has  not  been  with  the  design  of  magnifying 
the  reputation  of  Miss  Mercer,  or  heaping  adulation 
on  her  memory  for  the  gratification  of  surviving 
friends,  that  this  memoir  of  her  character  has  been 
prepared  for  the  public.  "By  the  grace  of  God" 
she  was  what  she  is  here  exhibited,  whether  we  have 
regard  to  her  natural  endowment  or  subsequent  spi- 
ritual attainment.  As  respects  herself,  her  record 
is  on  high,  and  human  praise  or  censure  is  of  no 
account;  and  of  her  friends,  but  a  few  rapidly  pass- 
ing years  will  sweep  away  from  this  scene  of  ex- 
istence all  who  could  derive  pleasure  from  the  con- 
templation of  her  virtues,  if  regarded  as  belonging 
to  herself  alone,  without  looking  to  the  source  from 
whence  they  were  derived. 

But  in  the  example  of  her  whose  character  is  here 
faintly  delineated,  we  witness  the  actings  of  a  spirit 
freely  given  to  all  men,  according  to  their  several 
necessities;  under  the  influence  of  which  each  may 
attain  to  an  equally  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties 
belonging  to  the  position  to  which  they  have  been 
assigned.  To  every  soul  on  the  face  of  the  earth 
the  Creator  of  this  earth,  and  the  Originator  of  that 


X  PREFACE. 

soul  has  committed  a  part  in  the  working  out  of 
the  great  plan,  for  the  accomplishment  of  which 
the  whole  has  been  devised ;  and  in  the  faithful 
performance  of  this  part  consists  the  duty  of  that 
soul.  The  allotments  are  various,  "all  have  not 
the  same  office;"  each  is  responsible  only  for  its 
own  part.  Yet  "  in  all  worketh  that  one  and  the 
self-same  spirit,  dividing  to  every  man  severally  as 
He  will." 

It  has  been  the  aim  of  the  editor,  in  preparing 
this  little  volume,  to  exhibit  the  principles  by  which 
Miss  Mercer  was  influenced,  and  to  prove,  by  her 
example,  the  sufficiency  of  those  principles  to  direct 
in  the  path  of  duty,  and  to  support  under  all  trials 
which  may  be  incident  to  it,  in  order  thereby  to 
direct  others  to  the  same  source  of  consolation,  by 
which  her  soul  was  sustained  under  trials  so  abound- 
ing, and  to  the  same  principle  by  which  she  was 
animated  to  efforts  so  great  and  persevering;  —  a 
principle  so  powerful  as  to  enable  her  to  declare  in 
the  midst  of  all  her  trials,  that  she  found  "  more 
true  enjoyment  in  the  consciousness  of  the  occupa- 
tion of  her  powers  in  the  service  of  her  Redeemer, 
than  she  had  ever  known  as  the  daughter  of  afflu- 
ence, nurtured  in  the  lap  of  indulgence." 

In  addition  to  this  general  object,  it  has  been  the 
special  design  to  elevate  in  the  estimation  of  the 
public,  so  far  as  the  influence  of  this  work  may 
reach,  the  position  of  teacher.  Various  circum- 
stances compel  us  to  depute  to  others  the  task  of 


PREFACE.  XI 

training  the  affections  of  the  heart  and  developing 
the  powers  of  the  intellect  of  our  offspring.  This 
is  the  chief  duty  allotted  to  man,  and  he  deserves 
well  of  his  country  who  has  trained  a  family  of  vir- 
tuous children,  leading  them  through  the  tempta- 
tions of  youth,  and  starting  them  in  the  career  of 
manhood  with  sound  principles  and  well-established 
habits.  How  important  then  does  it  become  that 
those  to  whom  we  intrust  the  entire  or  the  supple- 
mentary care  of  our  children  should  be  themselves 
possessed  of  elevated  principles,  refined  tastes,  and 
correct  habits.  To  secure  the  devotion  of  thoje 
possessed  of  these  requirements,  to  this  holy  office, 
it  is  necessary  that  the  office  itself  should  be  en- 
dowed with  that  respectability  in  the  estimation  of 
the  public  to  which  it  is  entitled ;  and  nothing  will 
more  effectually  secure  this  than  the  self-dedication 
of  women  such  as  Margaret  Mercer  to  that  high 
calling.  Too  often  it  has  been  undertaken  from 
mere  mercenary  motives,  with  a  view  to  the  ulti- 
mate pecuniary  advantage,  or  resorted  to  under  the 
pressure  of  necessity,  and  pursued  with  unwilling 
effort,  rather  than  holy  zeal.  Many  in  both  classes 
have  undoubtedly  proved  able  teachers,  and  sent 
forth  pupils  well  educated  for  the  discharge  of  their 
duties  in  life.  Miss  Mercer  had  a  higher  aim:  de- 
siring not  only  to  prepare  her  pupils  for  the  life 
that  now  is,  but  to  instil  into  them  at  the  same  time 
prinicples  which  should  prepare  them  for  glory  and 


xii  PREFACE. 

honour  and  immortality  in  that  which  is  to  come; 
and  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  she  laboured  with  a 
degree  of  the  same  feeling  which  caused  the  apostle 
to  regard  himself  as  "  debtor  to  Greek  and  barba- 
rian." She  thus  magnified  her  office,  and  the  de- 
sire to  elevate  if  in  the  estimation  of  her  sex,  and 
to  incite  others  to  emulate  her  zeal,  has  been  a  pro- 
minent object  in  this  work. 

The  subject  which  next  to  this  most  absorbed 
her  attention  and  interested  her  feelings,  was  the 
condition  of  the  negro  race  in  this  country.  It 
will  be  found  that  on  this  she  felt  warmly  and  acted 
decidedly ;  and  the  attention  of  all  interested  is  re- 
spectfully solicited  to  the  exhibition  of  her  views 
here  made,  in  as  succinct  a  manner  as  is  compatible 
with  the  importance  it  possessed  in  her  own  mind. 
During  the  passage  of  these  sheets  through  the 
press,  a  friend  to  whose  inspection  they  were  sub- 
mitted, expressed  the  apprehension  that  they  were 
too  lenient  to  slavery.  Others  doubtless  will  re- 
gard them  as  intemperate  in  the  denunciation  of  that 
institution.  In  this,  as  on  every  other  point,  the 
desire  of  the  author  has  been  to  present  himself  as 
little  as  possible ;  but  lest  he  should  be  misunder- 
stood, he  may  be  permitted  to  assert  that,  with  the 
subject  of  the  memoir  herself,  he  can  honestly  adopt 
the  language  of  the  poet,  and  declare, 

"  1  had  much  rather  be  myself  the  slave, 
And  wear  the  bonds,  than  fasten  them  on  him." 


A  MEMOIR 


MISS  MAEGAEET  MEECEE, 


THE  family  of  Mercer  is  one  of  those  scions  of 
an  ancient  stock,  which,  transplanted  to  this  country 
at  an  early  period  after  its  first  colonization,  has 
flourished  with  renewed  vigour  in  its  new  soil,  and 
added  lustre  here  to  the  eminence  it  had  acquired 
in  its  former  location.  In  each  succeeding  genera- 
tion it  has  possessed  representatives  who  acted  well 
their  part,  and  left  the  impress  of  their  character  on 
the  times  in  which  they  lived.  It  is  needless  here 
to  enter  into  any  detail  of  their  history.  The  object 
in  view  is  simply  to  prove  that  Miss  Mercer  sprang 
from  no  ignoble  stem ;  and  whether  we  look  to  the 
camp,  the  senate,  or  the  social  circle,  in  either 
sphere  of  action  she  could  boast  of  distinguished 
progenitors,  as  well  in  Great  Britain  as  in  this 
country.  Yet,  to  appropriate  the  language  of  the 
Bishop  of  Oxford,  it  was  not  for  gentle  alliance  that 
Margaret  Mercer  was  the  most  remarkable  and  best 
2 


14  A  MEMOIR 

deserves  remembrance.  Rather  did  she  add  dis- 
tinction to  her  honourable  line,  and  transmit  to  her 
kindred  of  succeeding  generations  that  memory  of 
her  virtues  and  inheritance  of  good  deeds  without 
which  titles  and  hereditary  rank  are  but  splendid 
contradictions  and  conspicuous  blemishes.* 

The  father  of  Miss  Mercer  was  a  Virginian,  the 
intimate  friend  and  associate  of  Jefferson,  Madison, 
and  Monroe.  His  brothers  and  himself  had  all  par- 
taken of  the  perils  and  toils  of  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution, and  he  subsequently  was  elected  to  represent 
the  district  in  which  he  resided  in  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States. 

Having  married  Miss  Sprigg,  the  daughter  of 
Richard  Sprigg,  Esq.,  of  Strawberry  Hill,  near 
Annapolis,  and  becoming  possessed,  in  her  right, 
of  an  extensive  landed  estate  at  West  River,  he 
removed  from  Virginia  to  that  neighbourhood.. 
He  was  one  of  the  delegates  from  the  State  of  Mary- 
land to  the  Convention  for  the  formation  of  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States,  and  took  a  very  lead- 
ing part  in  the  proceedings  of  that  body,  and  was  sub- 
sequently elected  Governor.  This  led  to  his  resi- 
dence in  Annapolis,  where  Miss  Mercer  was  born  in 
the  year  1791,  and  where  her  earlier  years  were 
passed.  After  the  expiration  of  his  gubernatorial 
term,  he  withdrew  to  his  estate  at  Cedar  Park,  where 
he  devoted  himself  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  the 
*  Vide  Memoir  of  Mrs.  Godolphin. 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  15 

training  of  his  children.  Governor  Mercer  was  a 
gentleman  of  excellent  education  and  refined  taste, 
and  had  profited  largely  by  his  intercourse  with  the 
world;  and  it  was  his  great  delight  to  communicate 
to  his  daughter  the  advantages  he  had  himself  en- 
joyed. Her  education  was  conducted  under  his 
immediate  observation,  and  with  but  little  assistance 
from  other  teachers;  indeed  her  own  remark  was, 
that  she  had  been  "  brought  up  at  her  father's  feet.*' 
He  took  pleasure  in  watching  and  aiding  the  deve- 
lopment of  her  intellectual  powers,  and  cultivating 
her  taste;  and  some  letters  and  papers  which  she 
had  piously  preserved,  prove  his  high  qualifications 
for  such  a  task.  They  exhibit  a  mind  of  the  same 
mould  as  that  in  which  her  own  was  formed. 

Of  her  earlier  years  little  need  be  said.  Beautiful, 
accomplished,  and  occupying  a  high  social  position, 
she  entered  upon  life  with  the  brightest  prospects 
before  her,  and  for  a  time  participated  in  the  usual 
amusements  and  occupations  of  the  period  and 
circle  in  which  she  moved.  But  though  fre- 
quently repairing  to  Annapolis,  then  boasting  a 
society  of  an  unusually  elevated  order,  to  Balti- 
more, Washington,  Alexandria,  and  the  public  wa- 
tering places,  the  greater  part  of  her  time  was 
passed  in  the  beautiful  seclusion  of  Cedar  Park, 
where  she  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  a  large  and 
well-sfilected  library,  the  proof  of  the  taste  and 
liberality  of  her  ancestors,  and  was  surrounded  by 


16  A  MEMOIR 

a  circle  of  neighbours,  whose  cultivated  intellects 
and  elevated  feelings  made  them  especially  conge- 
nial' to  her  own  character.  There  are  few  sections 
of  our  own,  or  any  other  country,  can  boast  a  so- 
ciety of  greater  refinement  and  intelligence  than 
that  with  which  she  here  associated.  Her  natural 
temperament  was  excitable  and  imaginative;  in 
later  life,  speaking  of  the  effect  produced  upon  her 
by  reading  The  Abbot,  she  writes:  "I  have  given 
up  Cullen  and  every  thing  else  like  reading,  for  three 
weeks  past,  to  the  cares  of  domestic  perplexities; 
but  I  found  a  night  to  give  to  the  sorrows  of  my 
childhood's  favourite,  the  lovely  Mary  Stuart.  I 
enter  perfectly  into  the  old  Scotchman's  feelings,  in 
Zelucco,  who  fought  so  valiantly  in  defence  of  her 
memory.  I  always  get  up  and  leave  the  room,  now, 
when  any  one  speaks  disrespectfully  of  her.  If  she 
had  only  been  firm  about  marrying  Bothwell! 
When  I  was  a  child,  the  summit  of  my  ambition 
was  to  have  been  one  of  those  maids  who  attended 
on  her  in  captivity.  To  have  kissed  the  hem  of  her 
garment,  and  received  one  sad  smile,  would  have 
broken  my  heart  with  delight  and  sorrow." 

One  transient  glimpse  at  the  habits  and  feelings 
of  this  period  of  her  life  is  afforded  us  as  we  pass, 
as  it  were,  in  the  following  extract  from  a  lecture  to 
young  ladies  on  the  subject  of  patience,  exhibiting 
a  beautiful  illustration  of  her  early  dedication  to 
the  good  work  of  binding  up  the  broken-hearted, 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  17 

ministering  consolation  to  the  afflicted,  and  seeking 
protection  for  the  oppressed,  so  peculiarly  the  pro- 
vince of  female  effort.  "  One  of  the  happiest  in- 
fluences I  ever  experienced  from  human  example, 
was  at  that  period  of  my  life,  when,  carried  along 
by  the  tide  of  fashion  and  folly,  I  spent  my  winters 
in  the  city,  in  the  restless  and  unsatisfying  search  for 
pleasure,  in  which  are  universally  engaged 

'  The  gay  licentious  crowd, 
They  who  their  thoughtless  hours  in  giddy  mirth, 
In  wanton,  oft  in  cruel  riot,  waste ;' 

and  returned,  in  the  summer,  to  the  country  to  brood 
over  fancied  cares,  and  *  listless,  drone  the  joyless 
hours  away/  In  a  wood,  close  by  the  river's  brink, 
stood  an  old  hovel,  into  which  the  piercing  wind, 
as  it  swept  along  the  surface  of  the  stream,  found 
entrance  through  every  board.  There,  lived  an  old 
fisherman  with  his  wife  and  five  children.  The 
man  was  utterly  unprincipled.  He  drank,  and  when 
he  had  taken  but  a  small  portion  of  liquor,  he  was 
apparently  kind  and  good-humoured;  but  he,  like 
every  other  habitual  drunkard,  never  could  cease 
drinking,  until,  overpowered  by  excess,  he  would 
sink  down  to  slumber  away  the  effects  of  his  intem- 
perance, and  wake  up  a  surly,  passionate  brute. 
His  wife  was  a  gentle,  patient,  unoffending  being. 
For  twenty  years  she  had  suffered  all  that  mere 
bodily  ill  could  inflict;  she  had  been  subject  to  ab- 
scesses, by  which  almost  every  joint  in  her  frame 
2*  ''-' 


18  A  MEMOIR 

had  been  started  from  their  sockets,  and  rendered 
inflexible.  Her  hips  were  dislocated,  her  elbows, 
even  her  fingers,  were  stiff,  distorted,  and  scarred; 
for  in  all  the  joints  of  her  hands  she  had  the  same 
imposthumation.  In  winter  she  had  generally  a 
return  of  the  disease,  and  it  was  attended  with  the 
severest  chills;  so  that  when  with  every  effort,  in 
our  comfortable  dwellings,  we  could  scarcely,  (though 
young  and  healthy,)  endure  the  cold,  this  poor  dis- 
eased creature  was  shaking  in  her  wretched  bed 
with  all  the  rigors  of  congestive  ague.  She  had 
never  been  handsome,  although  her  features  were 
delicate,  and  her  eyes  blue,  clear,  and  soft;  but  her 
complexion,  which  had  been  naturally  fair,  was 
dyed  of  the  most  sallow  hue.  I  visited  her  fre- 
quently, and  respected  her  uncomplaining  piety 
and  her  industry,  for  she  managed  to  sew  and  knit 
with  her  stiff  and  twisted  limbs.  I  respected  her 
desire  to  bring  up  her  children  religiously,  and  her 
unvarying  patience  with  her  unworthy  husband. 
One  day,  (when  I  had  known  her  for  years  without 
her  ever  having  uttered  a  murmur,)  she  sent  for 
me:  she  no  longer  even  attempted  to  hobble,  (as  she 
had  been  accustomed  to,)  across  her  cabin  floor,  but 
dressed  by  her  daughter,  she  was  placed  by  her  son 
in  her  comfortless  seat,  in  which  she  sat  knitting  all 
the  day.  Her  eyes  had  failed  from  weakness,  so 
that  she  no  longer  enjoyed  the  .comfort  of  reading 
the  common  print  of  her  cheap  Bible.  When  I 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERGER.  19 

took  my  seat  by  her,  she  burst  into  tears;  and  now 
the  burden  of  her  heart  was  discovered.  Her  hus- 
band had  grown  more  and  more  intemperate,  her 
boys  were  growing  up,  and  she  could  not  see  him 
destroy  his  own  soul,  and  endanger  theirs  by  his 
vicious  example,  without  remonstrance.  But  in- 
stead of  listening  to  her,  he  had  even  struck  her,  and 
often  threatened  to  put  her  to  death,  that  he  might 
be  relieved  from  the  burden  of  maintaining  such  a 
helpless,  useless  creature.  She  had  reason  to  fear 
for  her  life;  and  she  thought  it  had  become  a  duty 
to  disclose  the  truth,  that  he  might  be  prevented 
from  committing  such  a  crime.  He  was  her  hus- 
band, he  had  once  been  kind  to  her,  and  it  grieved 
her  heart  to  expose  him;  but  she  dared  not  conceal 
his  conduct  any  longer.  She  did  not  fear  to  die, 
but  a  death  of  violence,  by  her  husband's  hand,  was 
too  horrible  to  think  of.  I  wept  with  her,  but  gently 
endeavoured  to  turn  her  thoughts  to  the  consolations 
of  religion,  when  I  beheld  a  mild  beam  irradiating 
her  pale  face;  and  looking  intently  before  her,  as  if 
her  thoughts  were  passing  directly  forward  into 
another  and  a  better  world,  she  said,  '  Oh  yes,  Miss 
Margaret,  I  often  think  there  is  no  one  in  the 
world  who  has  so  much  to  be  thankful  to  God  for 
as  I  have.'  I  gazed  at  her  in  surprise  and  silence, 
when  she  earnestly  and  slowly  added, '  to  think  how 
much  trouble  He  has  brought  me  through.'  I  re- 
turned home  that  day  with  a  new  spirit  within  me; 


20  A  MEMOIR 

and  whenever  since  I  have  been  disposed  to  com- 
plain of  my  lot,  I  have  remembered  that  lowly  saint. 
I  sent  her  a  soft  and  comfortable  couch  which  I  had 
just  made  to  lounge  on  myself,  with  a  large  Testa- 
ment, and  prohibited  her  brutal  husband  from 
coming  on  the  estate.  But  for  twelve  long  years 
she  had  still  to  toil  through  the  tribulation  of  the 
saints,  before  the  Lord  saw  that  patience  had  per- 
fected her  work,  and  then  He  took  her  to  everlast- 
ing rest  in  the  bosom  of  light,  life,  and  immortality. 
Ye  who  are  fretting  daily  at  every  trifling  vexation, 
remember  Mary  Tucker,  and  i  in  your  patience  pos- 
sess ye  your  souls.'  ' 

It  is  not  known  at  what  period,  or  by  what  cir- 
cumstances her  mind  was  first  led  to  the  adoption 
of  those  religious  views,  which  exerted  so  important 
an  influence  on  her  character,  and  made  her  so  pe- 
culiar an  object  of  interest.  In  afte*r  life  she  spoke 
of  the  change  as  the  gradual  development  of  a  prin- 
ciple, the  first  unfoldings  of  which  were  scarce  per- 
ceptible, and  the  earliest  record  found  of  them  is  in 
a  letter  written  during  her  attendance  upon  the  sick 
bed  of  a  maternal  aunt,  to  whom  she  was  warmly 
attached,  and  whose  Christian  character  doubtless 
had  some  influence  in  the  formation  of  that  of  the 
niece.  The  letter  is  without  date,  but  must  have 
been  written  prior  to  the  year  1814,  to  a  friend  in 
Essex  County,  Virginia.  It  was  in  reply  to  one 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  21 

containing  some  reference  to  her  supposed  gratifica- 
tion in  the  usual  enjoyments  of  youth. 

"How  different,  my  sweetest  Coz.,  has  been  my 
occupation  for  the  last  month  from  that  you  ima- 
gine; shut  up  in  a  sick  house,  watching  the  turns  of 
disease  that  has  threatened  to  deprive  me  of  the  best 

friend  I  have  on  earth And  now  let  me 

ask  you  to  rejoice  with  me  that  I  have  hopes  of 
seeing  my  adored  aunt  restored  to  health.  Thank 
Heaven,  she  is  something  better;  for  days  she  has 
been  despaired  of,  but  the  Almighty  heard  our  ear- 
nest prayer.  I  found  her  looking  the  image  of  my 
sainted  mother,  when,  for  the  last  few  days,  the 
troubled  spirit  seemed  to  have  taken  refuge  with 
her  God,  her  eyes  glazed  and  vacant — but,  merciful 
Father,  I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  not  withdrawn 

this  model  from  our  imitation Last  night  I  had 

such  a  golden  dream  about  going  to  Essex,  but  the 
town  clock  awakened  me  on  the  road.  I  do  think 
that  if  you  had  a  church,  it  would  be  a  heavenly 
place.  I  could  cry,  whenever  I  recollect  that  there 
is  no  church  for  such  dear  good  people  to  collect  in 
and  offer  their  thanks  to  Heaven  for  being  so  blest. 
I  was  confirmed,  and  had  the  pious  blessing  of  our 
venerable  old  Bishop  the  day  before  I  came  from 
home.  You  cannot  think  how  humble,  how  peni- 
tent, how  happy  I  feel.  It  seems  as  though  I  still 
feel  the  pressure  of  his  hand  on  my  head.  He  has 


22  A  MEMOIR 

promised  to  come  to  see  me  next  spring I  do 

not  think  I  was  ever  made  for  a  married  woman;  I 
feel  as  if  I  was  not  intended  to  take  so  great  a  share 
in  worldly  things.  If  I  did,  I  should  forget  my 
God,  perhaps;  and  may  Providence  load  me  with 
every  human  misery,  and  deprive  me  of  every  earth- 
ly good  rather  than  that.  How  1  am  wandering! 
but  you  will  forgive  me  for  following  the  train  of 
my  thoughts;  had  I  forced  them,  I  should  have  been 
affected."  Such  were  the  first  ruddy  dawnings  of 
that  spiritual  life  which  was  yearly  more  and  more 
developed,  until  it  shone  bright,  and  clear,  to  the 
glory  of  Him,  who  had  thus  begun  a  good  work  in 
her,  to  be  perfected  only  when,  after  forty  years  of 
earthly  trial,  she  was  taken  to  the  rest  prepared  for 
His  people.  Its  influence  was  ever  on  the  increase, 
bringing  into  subjection,  and  appropriating  to  hea- 
venly uses,  every  faculty  of  her  mind  and  every 
feeling  of  her  heart.  The  light  of  divine  truth  was 
with  her,  as  it  ever  must  be,  like  that  of  the  mate- 
rial world,  shining  more  and  more  to  the  perfect 
day.  Faint  as  may  be  its  beginning,  cold  and  gray 
in  some,  warm  and  rich  in  its  colouring  in  others, 
dark  as  may  be  the  clouds  that  hang  around  its 
dawning,  or  gather  about  its  ascending  path,  its  al- 
lotted course  is  ever  onward  and  upward,  till,  the  in- 
fluences of  earth  triumphantly  overcome,  it  finds  its 
full  development  in  a  state  of  existence  free  from 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  23 

those  mists  and  vapours  which  sin  has  cast  around 
us  here. 

It  was  just  prior  to  this  period  of  her  life,  that 
Miss  Mercer  made  a  visit  to  her  paternal  relatives 
in  Essex  County,  Virginia.  To  these  relatives  she 
formed  an  attachment  of  unusual  strength.  Found- 
ed on  congeniality  of  character,  built  up  by  a  per- 
petual interchange  of  acts  of  kindness,  and  cemented 
by  entire  unity  in  religious  feelings,  it  continued  to 
increase  in  strength  till  it  was  shattered  by  the  hand 
of  that  power  before  which  all  earthly  things  must 
bow,  and  which  terminates,  for  the  time,  at  least, 
even  the  holiest  ties. 

One  of  these  relatives,  Miss  Hunter,  of  Hunter's 
Hill,  has  furnished  a  sketch  of  her  estimate  of  Miss 
Mercer,  which  will  be  drawn  on  freely  in  the  course 
of  this  memoir.  Referring  to  this  period,  she  says: 
"  Miss  Mercer's  first  visit  to  Virginia,  after  she  had 
passed  the  period  of  childhood,  was  made  at  that 
time  of  life  when  the  girl  has  passed  into  the  woman, 
and  the  distinctive  peculiarities  of  mind,  character, 
and  manners  are  strikingly  developed.  Her  rela- 
tives formed  a  very  extensive  connexion,  embracing, 
of  course,  persons  of  every  variety  of  age  and  dis- 
position; yet  her  endearing  qualities,  the  peculiar 
charm  and  interest  of  her  manner  and  conversation, 
her  strong  and  affectionate  feeling  of  the  ties  of  kin- 
dred, at  once  produced  sentiments  of  tenderness  in 
the  hearts  of  many,  which  became  friendship  lasting 


24  A  MEMOIR 

as  life  itself,  excited  the  admiration  of  all,  and  gave 
rise  in  the  younger  portion  of  the  connexion  to  an 
enthusiasm  bordering^ilmost  on  idolatry.  Her  suc- 
ceeding visits  but  deepened  the  impression  made  by 
the  first;  they  were  anticipated  with  delight,  and 
regarded  as  bright  eras  in  life.  Her  looks,  her 
words,  her  acts  of  love  were  treasured  in  the  me- 
mory of  her  friends,  and  they  felt  that  they  had 
lived  more  during  one  week,  in  her  society,  than 
in  ten  times  that  period  passed  in  the  ordinary  rou- 
tine of  life.  Her  mind  and  heart  were  always 
awake,  and  always  active  in  stimulating  the  intel- 
lectual energies  of  others,  and  kindling  in  their 
hearts  the  flame  of  noble  and  generous  feeling,  and 
awakening  high  aspirations  for  excellence.  It  was 
always  a  subject  of  admiration  and  surprise  to  those 
who  knew  her,  how  far  her  spiritual  could  triumph 
over  her  physical  nature;  her  nervous  organization 
was  one  of  peculiar  delicacy,  and  her  sufferings, 
even  at  this  period,  were  often  very  severe.  Yet 
when  reduced  to  a  condition  in  which  ordinary  per- 
sons would  have  been  incapable  of  acting,  if  an  ap- 
peal were  made  to  her  affection  or  her  sense  of  duty, 
her  energies  were  wont  to  arouse  in  a  most  astonish- 
ing manner,  and  incite  her  to  efforts  greatly  beyond 
her  strength."  Thus  early  was  exhibited  that  frail- 
ty of  bodily  health  which  she  never  surmounted, 
and  which  enhanced  the  value  of  all  her  subsequent 
efforts. 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  25 

In  personal  appearance,  Miss  Mercer  was  pecu- 
liarly attractive;  her  stature  was  originally  tall,  her 
carriage  graceful,  her  eye  beaming  with  intelligence, 
and  her  whole  countenance  expressive  of  the  love- 
liest traits  of  female  character.  Disease  and  care 
set  their  marks  upon  her  face  in  after  life,  and 
caused  her  form  to  lose  its  symmetry,  but  never 
quenched  the  beaming  of  the  eye,  nor  darkened  the 
radiance  of  her  soul,  which  shone  on  every  feature  to 
the  very  last.  Her  appearance  was  indeed  the  im-  • 
bodiment  of  the  ideal  of  female  loveliness  and  worth; 
and  it  may  be  asserted  with  safety,  that  none  ever 
approached  her  without  receiving  the  impression  of 
the  presence  of  one  elevated  above  the  common 
grade  of  mortal  life.  There  was  a  combination  of 
the  attractive  graces  with  the  impressiveness  of  su- 
perior power  which  is  rarely  met  with;  and  while 
her  manner  was  often  sportive,  and  she  could  adorn 
the  most  common  subjects  of  conversation  by  the 
most  graceful  turns  of  thought  and  purity  of  lan- 
guage, there  was  frequently  an  elevation  of  thought 
and  force  of  expression,  which  carried  those  thrown 
into  association  with  her,  into  a  higher  sphere  than 
that  of  common  every-day  existence.  Even  those 
who  could  not  sympathize  with  and  appreciate 
her  character,  were  still  struck  with  this  feature 
in  it,  and  its  influence  was  acknowledged  in  the 
fact,  that  none  would  dare  to  express  before  her 
sentiments  or  opinions  which  would  have  been 
3 


26  A  MEMOIR 

uttered  in  conversation  with  other  persons  with- 
out hesitation.  There  was  something  about  her 
which  enkindled  in  the  bosom  of  all  a  desire  to 
partake  of  her  good  opinion;  and  when  in  after 
life  she  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  the  task  of 
instruction,  the  apprehension  of  a  frown  from  Miss 
Mercer,  was  sufficient  to  check  even  the  thought- 
lessness of  youth.  Nor  was  this  a  mere  evanes- 
cent impression,  as  her  pupils  have  been  known 
to  declare,  that  long  after  they  passed  from  under 
her  authority,  the  sense  of  her  approbation  or  con- 
demnation of  their  course,  exerted  a  powerful  influ- 
ence for  restraint  or  encouragement. 

Educated  in  a  section  of  country  abounding  in 
varied  scenes  of  surpassing  loveliness,  and  surround- 
ed, at  her  immediate  home,  by  views  possessed  of 
great  natural  beauty  and  improved  by  high  cultiva- 
tion, her  taste,  originally  good,  became  refined  by 
these  circumstances  of  elegance.  Her  perception 
of  the  beauties  of  nature  was  very  quick,  and  she 
possessed  high  powers  as  an  artist.  Her  flower- 
painting  was  almost  unrivalled.  There  was  a  truth- 
fulness and  grace  of  drawing,  a  delicacy  and  perfec- 
tion of  colouring,  and  a  power  of  combination  and 
arrangement,  which  bespoke  talent  of  the  highest 
order  in  this  branch  of  art,  which  she  was  ever 
ready  to  turn  to  account,  either  for  the  gratification 
of  her  friends,  or  as  a  means  of  contributing  to  the 
promotion  of  objects  of  benevolence. 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  27 

One  of  the  earliest  and  most  persistent  traits  of 
her  character  was  an  entire  self-abandonment.  It 
was  more  than  is  expressed  by  the  want  of  selfish- 
ness, this  is  but  a  negative  virtue;  with  Miss  Mer- 
cer, it  was  the  positive  sacrifice  ofse/ffor  the  benefit 
of  others;*  and  even  at  the  early  period  of  her  life, 
now  under  notice,  this  trait  was  sufficiently  deve- 
loped to  form  a  decided  feature  in  the  portrait  of 
her  mind.  Thus  Miss  Hunter,  whose  opportunities 
of  observation  commenced  at  an  early  period  of  her 
life,  and  were  continued,  without  interruption,  and 
extended  to  the  most  intimate  confidence,  even  to 
the  end,  remarks:  "It  might  be  said  of  her,  without 
fear  of  exaggerated  eulogy,  that  she  lived  for  others, 
and  never  appeared  to  be  actuated  by  any  motive  of 
personal  interest,  comfort,  or  convenience."  And 
this  observation  is  equally  true,  whether  applied  to 
the  daily  trifling  events  which  afford  an  opportunity 
for  the  exhibition  of  the  state  of  the  affections  to 
those  by  whom  we  are  surrounded,  and  which  con- 
stitute the  sum  of  human  happiness  or  misery,  or 
to  those  greater  actions  which  require  a  more  posi- 
tive effort  of  exertion.  There  was  a  grace  in  the 
manner  in  which  her  kindness  was  performed,  which 
removed  from  the  receiver  the  oppressive  sense  of 
obligation.  These  were'the  native  instincts  of  her 
heart;  and  sanctified  and  elevated  as  they  were  by 
the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  rendered 
her  a  living  example  of  every  grace. 


28  A  MEMOIR 

Her  literary  taste  was  highly  cultivated,  and  her 
mind  having  been  formed  on  a  correct  model,  by 
early  familiarity  with  the  best  authors  of  our  own 
language  and  of  France,  she  was  able  to  criticise 
the  passing  literature  of  the  day  with  great  propri- 
ety. Much  of  her  earlier  correspondence  is  thus 
occupied,  and  exhibits  a  sound  judgment  and  cor- 
rect discrimination  of  the  beauties  and  imperfections 
of  the  works  which  came  under  her  notice.  Yet 
was  she  never  beguiled  by  the  beauty  of  language, 
or  force  of  expression,  into  an  admiration  of  that 
which  was  untrue  or  of  evil  influence.  Her  mind 
shrunk  with  instinctive  abhorrence  from  that  most 
hateful  of  all  the  exhibitions  of  evil,  in  which  it  is 
clothed  in  the  attractiveness  with  which  misapplied 
genius  can  adorn  it.  As  the  dazzling  scales  and  the 
varied  hue  of  its  covering  but  enhance  the  feeling  of 
aversion,  with  which  nature  shrinks  from  the  enve- 
nomed serpent,  so  the  pure  soul  turns  with  the  more 
intense  loathing  and  disgust  from  those  fearful  ex- 
hibitions of  the  depth  of  human  iniquity,  in  which 
the  very  lights  and  ornaments  of  God's  own  truth 
are  perverted  to  conceal  the  deadly  poison  of  soul- 
destroying  error.  Thus,  in  writing  to  a  friend,  she 
says:  "Lara  is  certainly  by  Byron.  Mr.  Dallas,  the 
secretary  of  Gallatin,  saw  it  in  manuscript  whilst 
he  was  writing  at  Ghent.  It  is  not  equal  to  much 
that  he  has  written,  but  I  think  it  shows  great  genius. 
He  is  quite  a  Salvator  Rosa  in  the  terribly  sublime; 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  29 

but  I  was  so  disgusted  with  Childe  Harold,  that  I  am 
not  free  from  prejudice  on  the  subject.  I  cannot 
bear  the  black,  gloomy,  desperate  wretch,  who  sinks 
under  the  oppression  of  this  world.  The  soul,  des- 
tined for  eternity,  should  rise  superior  to  the  shores 
of  time.  You  will  say  these  remarks  apply  to  the 
man;  but  do  you  not  agree  with  me  in  thinking  that 
his  own  soul  is  the  original  from  which  all  his  delinea- 
tions are  made.  I  have  been  more  enchanted  with 
the  Queen's  Wake  of  Hogg,  than  any  thing  that  I 
have  seen.  It  is  not  very  original,  at  least  it  con- 
tains much  that  may  be  considered  as  plagiarism, 
yet  it  is  beautiful  and  almost  miraculous,  consider- 
ing the  circumstances."  Writing  again  to  the  same 
friend,  she  resumes  the  subject:  "I  am  sorry  you 
think  me  too  hard  on  your  friend  Byron.  His 
genius  I  admire  certainly,  but  surely  you  will  admit 
he  makes  a  bad  use  of  his  powers.  Recollect  those 
lines  of  Childe  Harold, 

'  Poor  child  of  darkness  and  of  death, 
Whose  hope  is  built  on  reeds.' 

What  a  sentiment !  Thomas  says,  eloquently,  in 
French,  that  the  infidel  looks  in  vain  around  him 
for  arguments  against  Providence.  Every  blade  of 
grass  confutes  him,  and  he  is  forced  to  retire  into 
his  own  black  heart,  where  alone  the  gloomy  chaos 
exists.  So  I  fear  poor  Byron  must  form  his  ideas 
of  fate  from  contemplating  himself,  and  doubt  the 

3* 


30  A  MEMOIR 

existence  *of  a  God,  because  he  cannot  perceive  His 
hand  in  the  composition  of  his  own  soul.  I  hate  to 
be  uncharitable,  but  the  man  who  so  boldly  steps 
forward  to  defy  the  powers  above,  has  no  need  of 
my  indulgence;  I  must  despise  his  heartless  insensi- 
bility in  not  feeling  that  there  is  a  great  and  good 
God,  and  I  must  abhor  the  malice  that  would  induce 
a  man  to  spread  an  infectious  disease  which  torments 
himself.  This  is  my  defence." 

In  like  manner  she  criticises  the  style,  concep- 
tion, and  moral  influence  of  Scott's  works  as  they 
issued,  and  other  productions  of  the  press. 

Her  character  comprised  elements  apparently  very 
diverse,  and  yet  all  combined  into  a  perfect  whole, 
as  the  varied  colours  in  the  ray  of  light.  Gentle, 
and  full  of  affection  for  all,  and  ready  to  sympathize 
with  sorrow  wherever  met  with,  feelings,  the  evi- 
dence of  which  will  be  found  scattered  every  where 
around  these  traces  of  her  path  through  life,  she  yet 
possessed  an  energy  and  firmness  rarely  found  in 
this  connexion.  The  circumstances  detailed  in  the 
following  extract  from  a  letter  written  to  one  of  her 
Essex  relatives,  will  exhibit  a  degree  of  courage  and 
energy  which  few  possess. 

"  I  am  afraid,  my  dearest  cousin,  that  you  have  all 
been  out  of  patience  before  my  letters  reached  you; 
but  I  cannot,  in  conscience,  lay  the  blame  of  my 
silence  on  the  mails.  I  was  so  sick,  so  harassed 
with  the  sickness  and  troubles  of  others,  or  'mine 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         31 

ain/  that  I  did  not  put  pen  to  paper  for  nearly  four 
weeks,  and  when  I  did,  it  was  with  an  invincible 
apathy,  which  chilled  every  current  of  thought  or 
feeling.  Since  that  I  have  been  roused,  by  a  rat- 
tling peal  of  thunder,  from  the  sleep  which  had  do- 
minion over  my  spirits.  I  wrote  to  you  that  I  was 
alone  at  West  River;  my  brother  had  left  me  to  put 
himself  under  medical  care;  I  was  staying  by  my- 
self, with  little  Tommy,  thinking  too  much  of  my 
brother  and  Richard  Stuart,  who  had  been  ill  for 
four  weeks,  when  a  violent  commotion  broke  out 
in  the  family;  and  like  the  savage  whose  indolence 
explodes  at  the  war  whoop,  (as  the  concussion  of  a 
pistol  dissipates  a  noxious  vapour,)  I  started  from 
my  inanity,  and  appeared,  with  the  fury  of  an  in- 
spired pythoness,  the  savage  intrepidity  of  Helen 
M'Gregor,  the  despotic  pride  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
when,  the  spirit  of  Harry  the  Eighth  rose  within 
her.  I  declare  to  you,  that  when  I  found  myself  in 
the  midst  of  the  negroes,  after  their  having  used  the 
greatest  violence  towards  the  overseer,  when  they 
were  seizing  him  and  holding  him  with  every  de- 
monstration of  rage,  I  did  not  know  myself.  I  felt 
ten  feet  high,  and  as  if  the  strongest  man  on  the 
place  would  have  been  an  infant  in  strength  to  me. 
I  declare  1  believe  in  the  Indian  philosopher's  ac- 
count of  the  creation  and  distribution  of  souls;  and 
that  by  some  caprice  of  the  winds,  the  soul  of  some 
Indian  chief  was  wafted  into  the  feeble  frame  of  a 


32  A  MEMOIR 

poor  sickly  little  girl,  and  has  been  educated,  and 
educated  in  vain,  to  make  it  suitable  to  its  condition 
in  life.  I  had  well  nigh  gone  off  like  a  sky-rocket 
for  you  know, 

'  This  fiery  soul  is  working  out  its  way — 
It  o'er  informs  the  tenement  of  clay, 
And  frets  the  pigmy  body  to  decay.' 

I  had  completely  curbed  the  spirit,  and,  I  verily  be- 
lieve, saved  the  shedding  of  blood,  when,  just  as  I 
had  sunk  into  the  consequent  weakness  of  nerve 
and  feeling,  my  aunt  and  Mr.  Law,  having  heard, 
accidentally,  of  the  circumstance,  came  down  and 
brought  me  here." 

Thus  in  mock  heroic  did  she  attempt  to  veil  an 
action  requiring  such  true  heroism  as  few  females 
are  endowed  with.  In  the  same  strain,  at  another 
time,  she  describes  a  similar,  though  less  perilous 
effort.  "  I  must  tell  you  of  an  adventure  I  had  the 
other  night.  Some  ragamuffin,  thinking  that  all  the 
family  were  from  home,  I  suppose,  came  and  at- 
tempted to  break  into  the  house  per  force,  but  I 
threw  up  the  window  and  frightened  him  so  that  he 
fell  down  dead  like  Falstaff,  and  all  my  soliloquies 
could  not  rouse  him,  till  I  left  the  window  and  went 
to  call  the  servants — when,  like  his  valiant  proto- 
type, he  rose  and  retreated  with  all  expedition." 
Her  admiration  of  cool,  determined  moral  courage 
was  very  great.  Thus,  soon  after  the  close  of  the 
war  of  1812,  she  writes:  "The  President  and  Cabi- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.          33 

net  spent  two  days  with  us  last  week.  Tell  your 
mamma  that  the  old  gentleman  won  my  heart,  en- 
tirely by  some  traits  of  feeling  that  I  did  not  expect 
from  him,  and  propitiated  me  entirely  for  Mrs.  M. 
by  a  story  he  told  for  her.  Mr.  Calhoun,  who  was 
with  him,  is  one  of  the  greatest  men  I  ever  saw. 
Papa  is  perfectly  enraptured  with  his  mind  and  man- 
ners; and  there  were  others,  and  among  those  others 
was  one — but  I  will  say  nothing  of  a  hero  who  pro- 
voked a  battery  to  fire  on  him,  and  then  walked 
slowly  backward  to  notice  the  range  of  their  fire. 
I  will  not  say  what  I  thought  of  such  a  man  on  in- 
timate acquaintance."*  Upon  another  occasion  she 

says:  "Twenty  letters,  my  dearest ,  in  which 

there  was  not  one  word  I  could  frame  an  exception 
to,  would  not  prove  so  certain  a  stimulus  to  my  pen 
as  a  difference  of  opinion,  especially  if  that  difference 
involved  the  character  of  a  favourite.  I  am  strongly 
bent  on  defending  my  friend  Edward,  and  if  I  have 
a  tolerably  correct  recollection  of  The  Monastery,  it 
will  not  prove  beyond  even  my  limited  skill  to 
frame  a  defence  for  him.  I  wish  the  Queen  of  Eng- 
land's cause  had  been  as  favourable  to  Brougham's 
talents.  In  the  first  place,  I  admit  you  are  perfectly 
correct  as  to  the  importance  of  courage  in  the  cha- 
racter of  a  man,  that  there  is  nothing  atones  for  the 
want  of  it — that,  in  fact,  there  is  no  virtue  without 
it ;  but,  my  dear  coz.,  there  are  as  many  shades  and 
»  Col.  McCrea,  of  North  Carolina. 


34  A  MEMOIR 

grades  in  the  qualities  of  courage,  as  in  any  thing 
else  belonging  to  the  ever-varying  condition  of  hu- 
man life.  Now  that  animal  bravery  which  your 
friend  Halbert  possessed  in  common  with  the  house- 
breaker, the  mail-robber,  the  privateer's-man,  the 
wolf,  and  the  bear,  is,  in  my  opinion,  nearly  as  un- 
favourable and  adverse  to  the  formation  of  the  noble 
and  generous  magnanimity  of  moral  courage,  as  the 
wisdom  of  this  world  is  often  opposed  to  the  wis- 
dom which  comes  from  God.  If  moral  courage 
should  be  grafted  on  animal  courage  successfully, 
doubtless  the  strength  of  the  stock  will  improve  the 
character  of  the  fruit.  But  unfortunately  the  animal 
principle  is  a  rude  wild  growth  which  can  scarcely 
be  led  through  the  delicate  veins  of  the  more  per- 
fect plant ;  but  rather  shooting  its  unprofitable  and 
eccentric  vigour  into  thorny  and  fruitless  branches, 
leaves  the  graft  to  perish,  and  the  disappointed  gar- 
dener to  grieve  over  his  lost  time  and  care.  I  have 
a  very  indifferent  memory ;  indeed  principles,  not 
men,  have  been  the  chief  employment  of  my  mind. 
But  I  think  Edward,  in  several  instances,  proved 
that  the  energy  of  his  mind  was  more  than  equal 
to  counterbalance  the  weakness  of  his  nerves.  He 
loved  Mary  next  to  high  heaven,  and  before  himself; 
but  he  would  not  have  followed  a  spirit  which  he 
had  some  misgiving  was  the  devil,  as  Halbert  did, 
into  another  world.  As  for  his  hatred  of  Halbert, 
it  was  a  slander.  The  generous  feelings  which  were 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  35 

roused  by  the  supposed  murder  of  his  brother  were 
natural  to  his  quiet  and  Christian  spirit,  where(strong 
earthly  passions  are  only  kept  down  and  regulated 
by  stronger  heavenly  ones,  and  quiet,  meek  humility 
arises  from  the  mortifying  sense  of  the  strength  of 
rebellious  nature.") 

"  Moral  courage,  or  that  dignified  constancy  of 
mind  which  alone  deserves  our  admiration,  is  like 
the  sublime,  better  defined  by  examples  than  de- 
scription. A  young  man  of  very  delicate  health 
was  observed  by  one  of  your  ferocious,  merciless 
desperadoes  to  tremble  in  battle.  <  What,  sir  !'  said 
the  man  of  animal  courage,  with  contemptuous  re- 
proach, '  you  are  a  coward — you  are  afraid.7  *  Yes, 
sir,'  said  the  young  man  calmly;  'and  had  you  been 
as  much  afraid,  you  would  have  run  away  long  ago.' 
Dr.  John  Hunter  was  very  fond  of  a  menagerie  of 
wild  beasts.  He  had  two  fine  young  tigers,  which, 
as  they  grew,  became  so  ferocious  with  their  strength 
that  even  the  keeper  dared  hardly  appear  at  the 
cage  to  feed  them.  By  some  unfortunate  accident 
they  escaped.  Every  one  fled  in  the  greatest  terror, 
and  alarm  was  spread  around;  no  one  dared  to  at- 
tempt taking  them,  when  Dr.  H.  walked  firmly  up 
to  them,  took  hold  of  their  collars,  led  them  into 
their  cage;  and  when  he  had  fastened  the  door,  and 
all  was  safe,  he  fell  dead  on  the  spot.*  But  the 

*  Miss  Mercer  was  in  error  in  this  statement    Dr.  Hunter  fainted, 
but  lived  many  years  after  this  event 


36  A  MEMOIR 

nerves  of  our  desperate  and  detestable  neighbour, 
the  Guinea  Captain,  so  distinguished  for  his  daunt- 
less ferocity  in  privateering,  formed  no  element  in 
the  composition  of  the  magnanimous  courage  of  Dr. 
Hunter.  I  read  an  anecdote  of  a  Quaker  in  whom 
the  moral  and  animal  courage  were  finely  united, 
although  I  cannot  say  but  that  my  "  Friend's"  prin- 
ciples were  a  little  sophisticated.  During  the  French 
war  he  found  himself  a  passenger  in  a  ship  which 
came  to  a  severe  conflict  with  a  French  vessel. 
Nothing  said  could  induce  the  man  of  peace  to  take 
the  slightest  interest  in  the  battle,  though  he  quietly 
walked  the  deck  as  the  balls  flew  around  him.  At 
last  the  French,  getting  the  advantage,  grappled  and 
boarded,  or  attempted  to  board;  for  the  first  man 
that  leaped  on  the  deck,  the  Quaker  sprang  forward, 
and  seizing  with  a  powerful  grasp,  said  deliberately, 
1  Friend,  thou  hast  no  business  here/  and  flung  him 
into  the  sea ;  which  so  animated  the  crew  that  they 
succeeded  in  beating  off  the  enemy,  and  escaped. 
Now  this  is  my  idea  of  true  courage,  and  I  think  Ed- 
ward possessed  it.  That  certain,  just,  and  elevated 
moral  principles  should  be  so  powerfully,  so  clearly 
established  as  to  make  the  observance  of  them  para- 
mount to  every  other  consideration  in  fast  faith  in 
God,  is  the  only  perfect  courage."* 

With  some  of  the  fearful  scenes  of  the  war  of 

*  The  reader  need  hardly  be  told  that  the  anecdote  here  given  is,  to 
say  the  least,  very  apocryphal. 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.          37 

1812  she  was  painfully  familiar ;  being  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  Baltimore  at  the  time  of  the  attack 
upon  the  city,  when  but  for  the  death  of  General 
Ross,  it  would  have  been  subjected  to  all  the  horrors 
inseparable  from  the  presence  of  a  hostile  army. 
The  following  letters  manifest  the  perfect  composure 
of  her  mind,  amid  scenes  well  calculated  to  agitate 
one  less  susceptible  than  she. 

"Although  we  are  still  in  suspense,  I  know  it 
will  be  a  great  relief  to  you,  my  dear  cousin,  to  hear 
that  we  are  still  in  existence,  and  likely  to  be  so, 
should  the  enemy  have  no  re-enforcements.  On 
Monday  they  landed  about  ten  miles  from  town,  and 
defeated  about  four  thousand  of  our  men,  who  re- 
treated to  town,  and  were  followed  to  the  lines,  about 
a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  city,  where,  I  suppose, 
finding  our  lines  too  formidable,  they  fell  back,  and 
are  now  either  waiting  for  re-enforcements  or  pre- 
paring for  embarkation.  We  have  but  about  twenty 
thousand  men.  The  fort  affords  a  complete  protec- 
tion from  the  fleet — at  least,  it  has  stood  twenty-one 
hours7  heavy  bombardment — lost  only  four  men 
killed,  and  the  works  not  injured.  They  threw,  we 
hear,  fifteen  hundred  shells.  I  am  sure  this  calcu- 
lation is  accurate,  for  we  saw  and  counted  every 
one  from  these  windows.  Finding  this  attack  in- 
effectual, and  not  being  able  to  come  within  gun- 
shot, they  have  all  gone  down  to  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  and  we  have  a  little  respite.  George  Steuart 
4 


33  A  MEMOIR 

is  very  slightly  wounded, — my  brother  safe,  though 
very  much  worsted,  riding  day  and  night  since  the 
alarm.  He  joined  a  troop  of  horse  immediately  on 
our  return  from  a  ride  we  had  taken  for  my  health. 
We  were  at  Bridgewater,  Pennsylvania,  where  I 
was  recovering  very  fast,  when  we  heard  the  alarm, 
and  pushed  home  to  our  friends.  We  have  passed 
two  horrible  days  and  nights,  but  I  rejoice  that  I 
am  in  the  midst  of  them.  I  do  not  think  they  will 
take  the  town,  especially  if,  as  is  universally  said 
by  the  prisoners  and  deserters,  Ross  is  killed  in  the 
action  on  Monday."  A  few  days  later,  she  adds: 

"  I  promised  to  write  again,  my  ever  dear  cousin, 
and  I  should  have  done  it  the  next  day,  had  any 
thing  of  moment  occurred ;  but  we  have  been  quiet 
ever  since  the  fleet  moved  off.  Their  attack  on  the 
fort  was'  unsuccessful;  they  lost  their  General  and 
several  other  officers  on  land,  and  there  was  nothing 
more  to  do.  With  the  co-operation  of  the  fleet, 
they  expected  to  take  the  town  and  fort  at  the  same 
time,  but  the  bombardment  failing,  they  were  glad 
to  move  off,  and  would  to  heaven  we  were  never  to 
see  another  on  this  side  of  the  ocean.  All  that  I 
love  are  safe.  We  were  within  sight  of  every  shell 
and  gun;  but  I  believe  I  wrote  you  all  about  it.  I 
have  been  in  such  a  state  of  confusion  that  I  cannot 
recollect  what  I  wrote;  but  I  know  that  since  then 
we  have  discovered  that  our  state  of  defence  is  quite 
unequal  to  resisting  ten  thousand  men,  disciplined 


OT  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         39 

as  European  troops  are.  Perhaps  another  week  may 
lay  us  all  in  the  dust." 

She  was  subsequently  placed  in  circumstances 
still  more  closely  affecting  those  in  whose  welfare 
she  was  most  deeply  interested,  and  there  displayed 
yet  higher  evidence  of  cool  determined  power  of 
action  in  a  position  most  likely  to  overwhelm  the 
judgment  of  one  whose  sensibilities  were  so  acute 
as  hers.  Decidedly  as  she  expressed  her  admira- 
tion of  courage,  and  capable  as  she  was  of  appre- 
ciating its  value,  her  heart  was  not  closed  to  the 
gentler  emotions,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  she 
writes :  "  On  returning  home,  after  an  absence  of 
three  months,  1  found  an  old  letter  from  my  dear 
cousin:  I  have  indeed  been  very  faulty,  but  the 
truth  is,  I  was  too  unhappy  till  the  peace,  and  too 
happy  since,  to  do  any  thing.  I  was  crazy  for  one 
day,  and  silly  ever  since.  Oh,  my  dear  cousin, 
you  can  scarcely  form  an  idea  of  my  situation  ;  not 
able  to  stay  at  home,  and  feeling  like  a  poor  exile 
every  where  else;  looking  forward  to  my  brother's 
going  to  Canada  immediately,  and  that  I  could  not 
stand.  I  do  not  think  I  should  ever  have  seen  him 
again.  I  could  not  have  lived  through  a  single 
campaign — but  it  is  all  over,  and  we  are  happy 
again." 

But  whilst  her  affections  and  feelings  were  ever 
thus  excitable,  there  was  constantly  a  calm  under- 
current of  sound  practical  wisdom,  which  kept  them 


40  A  MEMOIR 

within  due  limit  in  their  actings,  except  so  far  as  she 
allowed  them  to  lead  her,  from  sympathy  with 
others,  to  disregard  her  own  comfort  or  advantage. 
In  early  life,  especially,  her  character  partook  un- 
doubtedly of  a  high  degree  of  enthusiasm,  and  even 
in  her  later  years  the  same  tendency  would  display 
itself;  but  it  was  never  permitted  to  lead  her  into 
any  extravagance  of  action.  It  was  indeed  a  health- 
ful enthusiasm,  and  proved  a  powerful  incentive  to 
high  and  holy  undertakings.  Her  mind  seemed  in- 
capable of  repose;  it  was  ever  in  active  operation, 
and  in  this  ceaseless  activity  it  seized  upon  every 
subject  that  presented  itself  with  more  or  less  tena- 
city of  purpose,  and  devoted  itself  with  untiring 
energy  to  its  consideration.  In  the  years  of  her 
life  now  immediately  under  our  observation,  botani- 
cal studies  opened  to  her  a  source  of  great  delight, 
and  amid  the  quiet  shades  of  Cedar  Park,  and  the 
varied  scenes  of  the  neighbourhood,  she  spent  day 
after  day  in  seeking  out  the  beautiful  plants  with 
which  our  hill-sides  and  meadows  abound.  Her  love 
for  flowers  amounted  to  a  passion,  and  the  accuracy 
and  elegance*  with  which  she  delineated  them  has 
been  already  referred  to,  and  exceed  the  belief  of 
those  who  have  never  witnessed  it.  She  was  desi- 
rous of  promoting  the  study,  as  healthful  in  its  asso- 
ciated circumstances,  and  refining  and  elevating  in 
its  influence  on  the  mind;  and  to  promote  this  end, 
botanical  cards,  botanical  games,  and  botanical  dra- 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  41 

mas  and  verses  were  all  produced  by  her  prolific 
mind.  It  was  not  with  her  the  mere  philosophical 
detail  of  orders  and  genera ;  there  was  a  romantic 
feeling,  as  of  entity,  connected  with  every  plant, 
which  led  her  to  attach  herself  to  it,  as  though  it 
was  capable  of  exercising  reciprocal  affection;  and 
she  sportively  writes  to  a  friend  of  congenial  tastes 
and  pursuits,  "I  am  very  busy  in  my  botanical 
studies,  and  the  wild  flowers  may  look  out  if  they 
have  any  reluctance  to  being  transferred  to  my 
Flora.  Indeed,  I  can  hardly  suspect  them  of  such 
low  desires  arid  tastes.  Think  you  that  the  passion 
of  the  hero,  who  courts  death,  and  exults  in  being 
cut  off  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  that  he  may  be  im- 
mortalized in  history,  may  not  be  the*  inmate  of 
some  little  flower's  bright  bosom,  which  else  were 
doomed 

'  To  blush  unseen, 
And  waste  its  fragrance  on  the  desert  air  T 

We  will  have  many  a  ramble  yet  in  your  wild 
woods,  where  they  flourish  so  gayly.  Do,  if  you 
meet  with  any  remarkable  for  their  beauty,  trans- 
plant them  to  some  secure  spot,  where  we  may  find 
them  next  year."  At  another  time  we  find  her 
apologizing  for  the  insult  offered  to  her  natural  fa- 
vourites by  the  "disciple  of  Jussieu,  condescending 
to  overseam  calico  flowers  on  a  counterpane."  At 
the  close  of  a  letter  to  a  friend,  she  quotes  the  ori- 
ginal Hebrew  of  Genesis  ii.  8,  and  says,  "  Do  you 
4* 


42  A  MEMOIR  .  >^> 

know  what  that  is?  '  i/lnd  the  Lord  God  planted 
a  garden.'  Let  us  take  it  for  our  motto,  for  surely 
in  his  very  best  estate  we  cannot  imagine  that  God 
ever  conferred  a  better  fate  on  man,  than  when  He 
planted  for  him  a  garden,  and  set  him  to  dressing 
it."  But  it  was  not  upon  these  sportive  fancies 
alone  that  her  mind  exerted  its  powers.  Graver 
subjects  occupied  her  attention,  and  performed  their 
part  in  giving  increased  vigour  to  her  reasoning  fa- 
culties, whilst  the  others  were  adding  to  the  already 
{-bounding  stores  of  her  fertile  imagination.  It  has 
been  mentioned  that  she  had  access  to  a  choice  col- 
lection of  works  on  history  and  general  literature: 
these  were  her  familiar  companions,  and  her  mind 
was  thoroughly  stored  with  their  contents;  whilst 
we  find  her  sometimes  deep  in  mathematics,  allow- 
ing herself  but  four  hours'  rest  in  the  twenty-four, 
that  she  might  bring  her  mind  under  the  wholesome 
discipline  of  this  parent  of  careful  thought;  at  others, 
theological  discussions  asserted  an  unrivalled  empire 
over  her  mind,  and  in  order  to  drink,  as  she  sup- 
posed, more  purely  from  the  fountain  itself,  with 
less  intervention  of  human  teaching,  she  devoted 
herself  with  almost  undivided  attention  to  the  study 
of  Hebrew ;  and  a  shor^  time  after,  we  find  her 
carefully  threading  the  intricate  mysteries  of  medi- 
cal science,  that  by  the  acquisition  of  correct  know- 
ledge on  the  nature  of  diseases  and  remedies,  she 
might  enlarge  the  sphere  of  her  benevolent  useful- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  43 

ness.  The  deep  abstractions  of  metaphysics  did  not 
deter  her  from  trying  to  fathom  those  abysses  into 
which  the  mind  plunges  its  line  in  vain,  growing 
old  in  drawing  up  no  certain  token  of  reaching  the 
solid  foundation  over  which  its  deep  waters  roll  so 
proudly.  She  remarks  to  a  friend  :  "  I  do  not  come 
on  very  well  with  metaphysics ;  I  dislike  any  thing 
so  inconclusive,  and  should  be  tired  of  following  an 
angel,  if  he  talked  so  in  a  ring."  A  paper  of 
"Thoughts  on  the  Magnet"  proves  her  to  have 
given  attention  to  natural  philosophy,  and  at  an 
early  period  to  have  attempted  to  solve  some  of 
those  mysterious  truths  which  are  now  but  dawning 
upon  the  horizon  of  human  knowledge.  But  whilst 
on  all  these  subjects  she  could  express  herself  with 
ease  and  eloquence,  there  was  a  simplicity  and  deli- 
cacy about  her  character  which  separated  her  as 
widely  as  can  be  conceived  from  that  class  of  "  wo- 
men of  masculine  understanding,"  whose  assump- 
tion of  claims  to  superiority  over  their  own  sex  leads 
them  to  despise  the  refinements  and  delicacy  which 
communicate  an  appropriate  and  attractive  grace  to 
the  female  character.  These  can  never  be  laid  aside, 
no  matter  how  great  the  positive  acquirement,  with- 
out a  violation  of  the  laws  of  nature,  and  a  conse- 
quent shock  to  that  unity  of  action  which  constitutes 
the  beauty  of  the  works  of  Him,  who  gave  to  each 
an  appropriate  part  in  the  sublime  harmony  of  the 
universe,  which  attests  His  wisdom  and  power. 


44  A  MEMOIR  pfr  ^ 

Never  was  feminine  grace  more  beautifully  illus- 
trated than  in  her  whole  career.  She  never  forgot 
that  it  is  the  peculiar  province  of  woman  to  minister 
to  the  comfort,  and  promote  the  happiness,  first,  of 
those  most  nearly  allied  to  her,  and  then  of  those, 
who  by  the  providence  of  God  are  placed  in  a  state 
of  dependence  upon  her.  To  discharge  these  duties 
was  her  unceasing  object,  to  the  accomplishing 
which  she  devoted  herself  with  entire  singleness  of 
purpose.  Thus  she  writes  to  a  friend:  "I,  like 
every  little  mole  toiling  in  his  own  dark  passage, 
have  been  given  to  murmuring,  and  my  great  com- 
plaint for  some  time  past  has  been,  that  I  was  cut 
off  from  every  means  of  usefulness,  and  could  not 
find  any  thing  on  earth  to  do  that  might  not  as  well 
remain  undone;  and  while  I  am  fretting  at  having 
nothing  to  do,  you  find  equal  discomfort  in  having 
too  much.  Somebody,  no  matter  who,  has  said  the 
secret  of  happiness  was  that  the  busy  find  leisure, 
and  the  idle  find  business,  and  it  would  seem  so  be- 
tween us.  And  yet  I  doubt  whether  happiness  is 
not  a  principle  which  belongs  exclusively  to  God, 
and  whether  we  can  ever  be  satisfied  till  we  wake 
up  in  his  likeness.  Whenever  you  can  find  that 
spot,  sacred  to  religious  peace  and  true  friendship, 
send  for  me  to  your  paradise,  but  remember  this  is 
the  reward  promised  to  those  who  have  gone 
through  the  struggle  of  our  great  spiritual  war- 
fare." 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  45 

At  this  time  her  pencil,  her  pen,  and  her  needle 
were  all  put  in  requisition  in  aid  of  the  Greeks  in 
their  struggle  for  liberty.  Miss  Hunter  remarks, 
l<Love  was  with  her  the  fulfilling  of  the  law.  At 
the  very  time  she  thus  speaks  of  herself  as  having 
nothing  to  do  that  was  worth  doing,  we  find  her  en- 
gaged in  comforting,  assisting,  and  cheering  all  who 
came  within  the  sphere  of  her  influence ;  now  ac- 
tively employed  in  the  Sunday-School;  now  aiding 
the  Greek  cause,  and  the  Colonization  Society  with 
the  fanciful  productions  of  her  pencil,  or  exquisite 
needle-work,  and  stimulating  the  moral  and  intel- 
lectual energies  of  the  youthful  portion  of  her 
friends."  Thus  she  wrote  to  a  friend  and  relative 
at  this  time. 

Mr  DEAR , 

I  have  business  for  you — no  less  than  to  write  an 
African  tale  for  the  Colonization  Society.  Will  you 
begin  forthwith?  My  idea  is  to  show  the  advan- 
tages with  which  Christianity  invests  the  savage. 
First,  to  open  with  the  description  of  a  little  girl 
sporting  in  the  woods,  rolling  her  cocoa-nuts,  and 
throwing  her  oranges,  and  dancing  under  every 
palm  tree,  with  long  wreaths  of  flowers;  send  her 
bounding  home  in  the  evening,  and  as  she  ap- 
proaches the  house,  under  the  cover  of  a  screen  of 
bushes,  let  her  be  suddenly  arrested  by  the  disco- 
very of  a  party  of  slave-dealers,  in  close  treaty  with 
her  mother,  who,  decorated  in  gaudy  beads  and  red 


46  A  MEMOIR 

flannel,  should  be  heard  to  exclaim,  I  will  give  my 
little  girl  for  them,  if  you  wait  until  she  comes  in 
from  play.  At  this,  send  the  little  heroine  back  to 
the  woods  to  spend  the  night ;  let  her  creep  into  an 
excavated  bank  to  sleep,  after  wandering  in  the 
dusk,  where  she  alternates  all  the  terrors  which  now 
the  fear  of  lions  and  tigers,  now  the  imagination  of 
being  pursued  bjr  her  mother  and  the  white  man 
create;  let  her  hear  her  mother's  voice  calling  her, 
and  the  rustling  of  the  leaves  that  conceal  her  from 
view;  and  on  the  next  day  let  her  be  joined  by  a 
little  companion — a  boy  some  years  older — who  has 
been  searching  for  her,  in  terror  of  her  having  been 
destroyed  by  the  wild  beasts;  let  her  at  first  dread 
to  discover  herself  to  him,  but  at  last,  moved  and  en- 
couraged by  his  expressions  of  anxiety  for  her  fate, 
let  her  come  from  her  hiding-place,  and  throw  her- 
self on  his  affection  and  compassion:  let  him  save 
her  by  guiding  her  far  up  into  the  interior  to  some 
old  grandmother,  who  is  to  adopt  them  both,  with- 
out knowing  the  whole  truth;  but  when  they  are 
grown,  let  her  be  brought  forcibly  back  to  her  mo- 
ther, let  him  come  back  rather  than  desert  her — then 
let  the  crime  be  accomplished,  and  throw  them  both 
into  a  slave  vessel,  and  describe  the  prison  deck, 
then  the  punishments  to  prevent  them  drowning 
themselves;  let  them,  on  a  fine  bright  day,  meet  the 
Leon,  and  hear  the  wretched  crew  lamenting  the 
awful  judgment  which  has  come  upon  them;  let  our 


OF  MISS  MAROARET  MERCER.  47 

hero  and  heroine  be  only  saved  from  suicide  by  their 
affection  for  each  other,  and  after  going  through  the 
horrors  of  the  voyage,  from  cruelty,  disease,  and 
despair,  land  them,  and  let  them  be  purchased  to- 
gether by  an  American  Christian  visiting  the  West 
Indies — a  Quaker,  if  you  please — and  after  her 
meeting  with  her  cruel  mother  in  slavery,  and  pre- 
vailing on  the  Quaker  to  relieve  her  from  the  highly 
contrasted  miseries  of  her  situation;  let  them  all 
come  to  the  United  States,  and  end  by  going  home 
good  Christians  in  the  colony's  vessel,  filled  with 
recollections  of  the  horrors  of  early  life,  and  inspired 
by  God  with  a  devoted  energy  in  the  missionary 
cause.  Filled  up  with  glowing  description  of  the 
country,  the  circumstances  of  the  voyage,  the  feel- 
ings on  landing,  the  relief  of  being  freed,  and  the 
rich  influence  of  Christianity  upon  the  human  mind 
under  such  circumstances,  it  might  be  made  an  ex- 
quisite thing.  Deb.  told  me  the  other  day  that  she 
herself  saw  a  cargo  brought  into  Baltimore,  and  a 
girl  told  her  that  her  mother  sold  her  for  a  cow. 
A  king's  son  at  Mount  Vernon  says  his  father  sold 
him  for  a  yard  of  red  flannel,  so  that,  work  it  up 
as  you  will,  it  is  still ( an  o'er  true  tale.' " 

Her  interest  in  Sunday-Schools,  also,  at  this  time, 
was  very  intense,  and  the  energy  with  which  she 
engaged  in  this  and  every  project  presenting  the 
prospect  of  benefit  to  her  fellow-creatures  is  exhi- 
bited in  the  following  extracts  from  letters  written 


43  A  MEMOIR 

by  her  during  a  visit  to  her  friends  in  Essex,  Vir- 
ginia, where  she  first  became  acquainted  with  their 
practical  operations. 

"You  will  feel  pleased,  as  will  your  dear  good 
mother,  my  respected  and  mo^  tenderly  loved 
friend,  feel  pleased,  to  hear  that  I  am  rid  of  the 
burden  of  anxiety  which  pressed  so  heavily  on  my 
spirits.  The  prospect  before  me  appears  cheering, 
and  I  may  venture  at  present  to  say  I  am  as  happy 
as  human  nature  and  human  life  may  hope  to  be. 
You  will  see  me,  ere  long,  returning  to  my  father's 
house,  and  to  much  more,  I  trust,  than  my  former 
activity  of  usefulness.  I  have  been  learning  many 
good  things  in  this  good  mansion.  Among  others, 
I  have  been  cutting  out  employment  for  you  and 

Mary  Ann and  Sally ,  and  J ,  and  as 

many  other  good  people  as  choose  to  aid  us  in  the 
establishment  of  a  Sunday-School.  My  admirable 
relative,  Mr.  Garnet,  has  organized  one  here,  and 
conducts  it  himself,  in  which  there  are  novy  one 
hundred  and  sixty  scholars,  and  many  have  been 
dismissed,  having  learned,  at  even  an  advanced  age, 
to  read  their  '  blessed  Bible.'  Even  the  young  chil- 
dren of  the  family  have  their  lower  classes,  in  which 
the  virtues  of  the  heart  and  the  government  of  the 
temper  are  increased  by  exercise  from  their  earliest 
days.  I  think  our  Lancaster  school-house  might  be 
turned  in  that  way  to  excellent  account,  and  the  at- 
tention to  it  would  afford  us  good  exercise  and  em- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  49 

ployment.  I  shall  bring  home  the  rules  and  regu- 
lations, lists  of  hookas,  and  all  that  are  necessary. 
Suppose  you  commence  with  the  organization  of 
the  plan  against  I  come  home,  that  no  time  may  be 
lost.  My  head  is  filled  with  schemes  of  benevolence 
and  usefulness,  at  the  head  of  which  stands  the  plan 
which  I  intrusted  to  your  mamma  and  yourself. 
My  soul  is  in  it,  and  yesterday  I  commenced  the 
study  of  botany  as  preparatory  to  it.  In  fine,  when 
my  head  turns  to  this  subject,  it  seems  to  me  I  want 
forty  heads,  well  stored  with  strong  sense,  forty 
frames  supported  by  vigorous  strength  and  health, 
and  a  hundred  hands  as  organs  of  execution  for  the 

plans  and  projects  of  my  one  head Continue, 

my  dear  friend,  to  look  forward  to  the  event  of  your 
efforts,  and  do  not  faint.  'Believe,  and  thou  shalt 
be  saved.'  The  offering  of  a  cup  of  cold  water  for 
the  love  of  God  is  not  to  go  unrewarded;  and  so  the 
widow's  mite  was  acceptable,  not  from  its  useful- 
ness, but  from  its  evincing  the  condition  of  the  heart 
— is  it  not  so  ?  Your  afflictions,  which  axe  but  for 
a  time,  are  to  work  out  for  you  a  far  more  exceeding 
and  eternal  weight  of  glory,  than  any  enjoyment  in 
the  exercise  of  any  power  with  which  humanity  is 
gifted." 

A  week  later  she  writes  to  the  same  friend. 

"I  spent  Sunday  morning  in  the  Sunday-School? 
where  the  members  of  this  inestimable  family  of 
mine  were  employed  in  teaching  a  hundred  poor 
5 

. 


50  A  MEMOIR 

children,  all  neatly  and  respectably  dressed,  orderly 
in  their  deportment,  and  progressing  rapidly  with 
spelling-books,  testaments,  &c.  The  numerous  ad- 
vantages arising  from  the  charitable  institution,  were 
so  forcibly  impressed  on  my  mind,  that  I  am  ear- 
nestly bent  upon  our  Lancaster  house  being  turned 
to  this  account,  and  furthermore  on  not  one  day 
being  lost.  If  you  agree  with  me,  I  know  your  ex- 
ertions in  the  cause  of  humanity  will  never  be  want- 
ing, and  I  wish  you  could  get  the  books  and  collect 
the  school,  counting  on  me  as  a  regular  teacher 
and  subscriber.  If  you  can  get  it  up,  it  must  be  by 
a  subscription  in  the  neighbourhood.  Eighty  dol- 
lars will  be  the  first  cost  of  the  books,  and  you  may 
call  upon  papa  for  my  share  of  it. ...  Never  were 
my  feelings  more  powerfully  affected  than  by  a 
prayer  which  Mr.  Garnet  made  at  the  opening  of 
the  school.  I  have  procured  a  copy  of  it,  and  intend 
it  to  be  read  in  our  school.  So  moving  is  a  good 
example;  seeing  one  in  operation  has  proved  to  me 
how  much  good  may  be  done  by  those  who  have 
the  soul  to  act  the  parts  of  the  madmen  in  0.  I 
wish  I  knew  that  you  were  going  on  as  rapidly  as 
I  am,  in  the  recovery  of  that  most  precious  of  all 
human  possessions,  health.  I  do  not  suppose  that 
1  can  ever  be  perfectly  well,  but  if  the  next  three 
weeks  continue  to  increase  my  stock,  I  shall  be  able 
to  pay  those  debts  for  which  I  am  now  a  bankrupt, 
and  to  set  up  again  in  business  with  the  commerce 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  51 

of  life,  feeling,  as  I  do,  an  humble  reliance  on  the  pro- 
mise of  God,  that  all  my  debts  to  Him  have  been 
cancelled  by  my  Saviour 

"I  am  very  busy  in  my  botanical  studies,  and  the 
wild  flowers  may  look  out  if  they  have  any  reluc- 
tance to  being  transplanted  into  my  Flora.'7 

Even  from  the  midst  of  the  gaieties  and  excite- 
ment of  the  national  metropolis,  she  writes : 

"Although  at  the  very  centre  of  news,  and  the 
emporium  of  gaiety,  I  neither  know,  nor,  entre 
nous,  care  one  cent  about  what  is  going  on  outside 
of  my  sitting-room.  Intriguing  for  office,  local 
politics,  personal  jealousies  infect  the  very  air,  until 
to  breathe  it  is  sickening.  I  long  for  green  grass, 
free  breath,  free  heart,  and  the  Sunday-School." 
And  upon  the  occasion  of  her  return  from  a  visit  to 
Alexandria,  she  thus  expresses  her  views  of  the 
proper  occupation  of  the  talents  with  which  we  may  . 
be  endowed.  The  letter  is  in  reply  to  one  from  an 
intimate  and  highly  valued  friend,  urging  the  claims 
of  society  upon  one  so  well  qualified  to  shine  in  its 
most  brilliant  circles. 

From  my  own  beloved  quiet  Dove's  Nest 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND, — 

As  I  find  you  are  not  disposed  to  receive  my 
visits,  except  they  come  in  a  certain  form,  you  must 
e'en  wait  until  I  am  in  a  mood  to  pay  visits  accord- 
ing to  the  prescribed  mode.  It  is  well  for  you  that 
I  have  been  permitted  to  seat  myself  in  "mine  ain 


52  A  MEMOIR 

biggin"  again,  or  you  would  never  have  heard  ano- 
ther word  of  me.  My  soul  appeared  to  be  gradu- 
ally evaporating,  from  its  close  contiguity  to  a 
vacuum;  and  my  body,  incarcerated  in  a  coal-hole, 
gradually  wasted  its  substance,  which  (as  rapidly  re- 
placed by  coal  dust,)  would  have  soon  been  in  a 
state  to  suffocate  you  if  you  touched  it — as  those 
mummies  which  the  Count  De  Fontbain  came  in 
contact  with,  smothered  him  in  the  catacombs  of 
Egypt. 

What  mighty  profitable,  and  pretty  lectures  may 
be  got  up,  when  you  dispense  with  the  necessity  of 
proving  your  principles.  You  are  lecturing  me  in 
a  manner  which  formerly  would  have  been  highly 
stimulating,  and  perhaps  set  me  off  like  a  balloon, 
to  carry  passengers  into  the  clouds.  But  the  gas 
which  inflates  these  vessels  of  presumption  is  vanity : 
and  although  Iwas  once  among  the  most  buoyant 
with  it,  several  tremendous  explosions  have  tho- 
roughly dispersed  its  fumes,  and  even  destroyed  the 
chemical  attraction  by  which  it  was  produced. 
Never  shall  I  move  an  inch  again,  from  any  vain 
idea  of  being  under  an  obligation  to  mix  with  so- 
ciety. A  little  single  drop,  separated  for  ever  from 
the  element  in  which  it  was  formed,  though  crys- 
tallized in  dark,  cold,  gloomy  caverns,  is  a  thing  to 
be  valued.  But  who  would  melt  it  down  and  cast 
it  again  into  the  muddy  stream  of  life  ?  I  acknow- 
ledge that  there  are  many  persons  around  me  vastly 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  53 

better  than  I  am;  but  I  am  speaking  of  society,  not 
people,  and  I  confess  that  the  "unidea-ed  chatter  of 
females"  is  past  my  endurance; — they  are  very 
capable  of  better  things,  but  what  of  that  ?  Is  it  not 
yet  more  annoying,  that  they  will  do  nothing  better? 
And  besides  all  this,  I  have  more  painful  feelings  of 
embarrassment  in  company  than  I  had  at  sixteen. 
I  am  old,  too,  and  when  I  go  into  gay  scenes  the 
illusion  is  gone,  and  I  fancy  the  illuminated  hall  to 
resemble  the  castle  of  enchantment,  where  Armida 
kept  all  who  were  capable  of  virtue  bound  in  the 
lap  of  pleasure. — I  think  how  a  M.  Fellenberg  has 
devoted  a  noble  spirit  to  a  grand  system  of  educa- 
tion, and  given  them  the  model.  All  admire,  all 
talk  of  it,  and  no  one  on  the  wide  globe  follows  the 
example.  Mrs.  Fry  opens  the  prison  gates — looses 
the  bonds  of  the  captive — carries  healing  into  broken 
hearts,  or  plants  virtue  where  vice  was  the  only 
growth — what  are  all  these  chattering  women  about, 
that  they  cannot  wear  a  simple  garb,  and  follow  her 
to  jails  and  hospitals  and  poor-houses?  No — if  I 
cannot  do  good  where  there  is  so  much  to  do,  I 
never  was  and  never  will  be  a  votary  of  folly." 

Whilst  she  had  been  so  much  excited  by  her  ob- 
servation of  Mr.  Garnet's  Sunday-School,  and  im- 
pressed by  the  prayer  with  which  it  was  opened, 
Mrs.  Garnet,  who,  about  this  time,  commenced  her 
well-known  academy  for  young  ladies,  requested 
Miss  Mercer  to  send  her  some  written  prayers  for 
'  5* 


54  A  MEMOIR 

the  use  of  her  school.  Miss  Hunter  introduces  her 
reply  with  the  remark:  "Her  conversational  elo- 
quence always  excited  the  admiration  of  her  hearers, 
but  on  sacred  subjects,  she  expressed  her  thoughts 
with  so  much  fervour,  fluency,  and  earnestness — so 
much  simplicity  and  beauty,  that  such  a  request 
made  to  her  could  have  excited  surprise  in  no  mind 
but  her  own."  Yet  with  characteristic  modesty  she 
thus  writes: 

"It  seems,  my  beloved  cousin,  always  as  if  my 
heart  was  so  full  of  grateful  affection  that  there  was 
no  room  for  more,  and  yet  I  never  receive  a  letter 
from  you  that  does  not  bring  new  claims  with  it. 
I  am  delighted  with  the  fair  prospects  of  your  school. 
God  will  always  bless  such  enterprises.  He  some- 
times tries  them  in  the  beginning,  but  only  to  prove 
the  virtue  there  is  in  them.  The  proposal  you 
make  to  me,  from  any  other  source  I  should  have 
thought  flattery,  and  it  fills  me  with  the  deepest 
humility  now  to  find  how  far  I  am  appreciated  be- 
yond my  merit.  As  for  the  sacred  and  awful  duty 
of  prayer,  I  find  myself  always,  in  approaching  the 
throne  of  the  Most  High,  so  impressively  reminded 
of  being  but  a  worm  of  the  dust,  incapable  of  un- 
derstanding my  own  wants,  or  interests,  that  my 
prayers,  except  when  my  heart  has  been  overflow- 
ing with  some  peculiar  suffering  or  trial,  have  at  best 
been  circumscribed  to  the  measure  of  the  poor  her- 
mit's— 

'Lord,  as  in  heaven,  on  earth  thy  will  be  done.' 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  55 

"If  my  excellent  cousin  wishes  assistance  in  an 
undertaking,  for  which  I  think  he  is  himself  pecu- 
liarly gifted,  I  was  perfectly  enchanted  while  in  Bal- 
timore, with  a  book  called  'Smith's  Lectures  on  the 
Duties  and  Offices  of  the  Christian  Ministry.'  .... 
Tell  cousin  James  that  my  favourite  prayer  is  the 
heathen  one, '  Lord,  grant  us  what  is  go£d,  though 
I  may  not  know  how  to  ask  it,  and  save  us  from 
what  is  evil,  though  we  may  ignorantly  desire  it.' 

"  Montgomery  has  some  beautiful  thoughts  on 
prayer.  I  have  often  regretted  that  children  were 
not  taught  more  of  the  nature  of  prayer.  How 
carefully  should  we  guard  every  avenue  of  the  heart, 
if  we  were  early  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
constant  communion  with  God,  and  that,  in  fact,  the 
daily  feeling  of  our  mind  is  our  incessant  prayer  to 
the  Almighty;  for 

'Prayer  is  the  soul's  sincere  desire, 
Uttered  or  unexpressed.' " 

He  to  whom  all  desires  are  open,  and  from  whom 
no  secrets  are  hid,  can  be  very  little  affected  with  a 
form  of  words  when  he  sees  that  every  disposition 
and  desire  of  the  soul  is  another  way,  "  Cleanse 
the  thoughts  of  our  hearts  by  the  inspiration  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  that  we  may. perfectly  love  thee  and 
worthily  magnify  thy  holy  name." 

There  is  no  more  fruitful  source  of  the  weakness 
of  Christian  graces,  than  the  want  of  a  proper  appre- 
ciation of  the  true  character  of  prayer.  How  many 


56  A  MEMOIR 

make  themselves  miserable  by  the  effort  to  devote  a 
certain  time  to  prayer, or  enumerate  a  certain  number 
of  objects  and  persons  in  a  mere  form  of  verbal  ad- 
dress, without  having  the  affections  and  desires  of  the 
heart  properly  directed  to  the  subject.  No  other  in- 
centive to  the  habitual  seeking  after  intercourse  with 
the  Father  of  spirits  can  be  needed  by  the  believer 
on  the  authority  of  Him  who  "  knew  what  was  in 
man,"  than  the  simple  direction  to  His  followers  to 
"  enter  into  the  closet,  and  shut  the  door,  and  pray 
to  our  Father  in  secret."  The  example  of  Jesus 
adds  force  to  the  precept,  if  that  were  possible,  and 
the  sweet  experience  of  every  renewed  soul  will 
cause  it,  in  despite  of  the  unhallowed  struggles  of 
the  flesh  to  mar  or  prevent  the  pleasure  of  commu- 
nion with  its  God  and  Saviour,  to  seek  often  to  be 
found  before  the  mercy-seat,  striving  to  offer  a  sa- 
crifice in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Without  this  drawing 
of  the  heart,  the  mere  utterance  of  words  is  but  the 
"vain  repetition"  condemned  by  our  Lord.  As  cer- 
tainly as  the  heart  follows  the  treasure,  so  surely  will 
one  convinced  truly  of  his  own  need,  and  the  suffi- 
ciency there  is  in  Him  who  has  taught  us  that  he  lis- 
tens to  the  sighing  of  the  contrite  heart,  and  treasures 
up  the  tears  of  the  penitent — seek  relief  in  prayer. 
It  may  be  the  mere  uplifting  of  the  affections,  the 
unuttered  groan  with  which  the  spirit  labours;  but 
such  prayers  are,  like  the  widow's  mite,  of  more 
value  in  the  sight  of  Him  who  knoweth  all  things, 
than  all  the  costly  and  laboured  offerings  brought 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  57 

by  those  who  feel  themselves  rich  in  expression, 
whilst  the  heart  is  unmoved. 

Prayer  can  never  be  a  duty  to  God,  as  though 
any  advantage  were  to  accrue  to  Him  from  its  dis- 
charge by  man.  It  is  the  importunate  craving  of  the 
soul  sinking  under  a  sense  of  its  need  of  aid  from 
without  itself,  and  it  must  originate  in  a  sense  of 
want  to  be  supplied,  or  sin  to  be  forgiven.  It  is  a 
duty  to  ourselves  to  investigate  our  condition,  and 
our  relation  to  the  Judge  of  the  quick  and  dead,  to 
try  ourselves  by  the  standard  of  His  holy  word  and 
Spirit.  When  this  examination  exhibits  our  weak- 
ness, our  emptiness,  our  coldness,  deadness,  or  rebel- 
lion, prayer  is  the  up-springing  of  the  soul  to  the 
Fountain  from  whence  strength,  fulness,  warm  affec- 
tions, spiritual  life,  and  the  turning  of  the  heart,  all 
are  derived.  But  it  is  an  amazing  privilege  to  be 
permitted  to  make  known  our  wants  with  prayer 
and  supplication  to  One  who  "  heareth  prayer,"  and 
has  promised  that  none  shall  seek  His  face  in  vain. 
The  same  principle  is  equally  applicable  to  the 
case  of  intercession  for  others.  While  it  may  justly 
be  esteemed  a  duty  we  owe  to  our  neighbour,  to 
seek  for  him  the  blessings  which  are  promised  in 
answer  to  prayer,  unless  the  desire  springs  from 
the  heart,  it  must  fail  to  find  acceptance  with  him, 
who  of  old  uttered  the  complaint  against  His  peo- 
ple, not  that  they  did  not  seek  him  at  all,  but 
that  "  they  drew  near  to  Him  with  the  lips,  while 
the  heart  was  far  from  Him."  Where  there  is 


58  A  MEMOIR 

true  apprehension  of  the  omnipresence  of  God  and 
his  readiness  to  hear  prayer,  it  will  spontaneously 
gush  forth  in  behalf  of  every  object  and  cause  on 
which  the  heart  is  fixed,  and  the  fervent  prayer  thus 
offered  becomes  effectual  to  the  accomplishment  of 
the  desire  of  the  soul. 

Miss  Mercer's  estimate  of  the  value  of  prayer  was 
very  high.  Years  after  this  period,  in  writing  to  a 
nephew  who  had  recently  received  a  commission 
in  the  navy,  and  was  about  to  sail,  she  says:  "  I  can 
only  follow  you,  my  dear  little  sailor-boy,  with  my 
thoughts  and  prayers.  Yes,  dear  Willie,  the  wind 
will  never  blow  now  without  my  heeding  it;  the  bit- 
ter biting  frost  will  never  reach  me  in  the  winter's 
night,  but  I  shall  fancy  you  on  the  watch  and  ex- 
posed to  its  severity.  May  the  God  who  rules  in 
heaven  and  on  earth,  and  cares  for  all  His  creatures, 
be  peculiarly  your  Father.  May  He  protect  and 
bless  and  save  you  both  body  and  soul.  May  He 
suggest  by  His  ever-present  Spirit  all  good  to  your 
mind,  and  guide  you  in  the  performance  of  all  duties. 
Dear  Willie,  cleave  unto  Him,  for  He  is  thy  life  and 
the  length  of  thy  days.  Pray  to  Him,  reverence 
his  holy  name,  and  supplicate  Him  fervently  for 
His  Son's  sake  to  give  you  first  His  righteousness, 
and  then  all  things  that  are  essential  to  your  tem- 
poral and  eternal  welfare,  and  He  is  pledged  to  do 
it.  Never  doubt  Him.  If  you  feel  a  doubt  creep- 
ing over  your  mind  from  seeing  the  infidelity  of 
men,  cast  your  eyes  around  you  at  His  visible  crea- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         59 

lion.  The  heavens  and  the  earth,  and  the  great 
ocean  with  all  its  wonders  speak  a  language  which 
should  put  infidelity  to  the  blush.  He  who  made 
all  things  must  know  all  things;  therefore,  God 
sees  your  necessities,  before  you  ask.  But  if  He 
chooses  to  withhold  his  blessings  until  you  have 
asked  for  them,  take  care  that  the  greatest,  most 
precious,  most  indispensable  of  all  His  blessings  are 
not  denied  to  you  because  you  do  not  ask  them  from 
Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth." 

After  much  most  affectionate  and  discreet  advice, 
appropriate  to  the  circumstances  of  his  condition, 
she  encloses  the  following,  and  adds : 

"Take  it  with  you,  dear  Willie,  and  read  it  often 
to  remind  you  of  the  great  privilege  of  prayer. 
How  many  blessings  wait  upon  it,  God  only  knows, 
but  many,  we  know,  more  than  we  are  apt  to  think 
of  without  some  memento,  let  this  be  one  to  you:" 

TO  MY  SOUL. 

Not  on  a  prayerless  bed,  not  on  a  prayerless  bed, 

Compose  thy  weary  limbs  to  rest ; 

For  they  alone  are  blest 

With  balmy  sleep, 

Whom  angels  keep ; 

Not  though  by  care  opprest, 

Or  thought  of  anxious  sorrow, 

Not  though  in  many  a  toil  perplexed 

For  coming  morrow  j 

Lay  not  thy  head 

On  prayerless  bed. 


60  A  MEMOIR 

For  who  can  say  when  sleep  thine  eyes  shall  close, 

That  earthly  cares  and  woes 

To  thee  may  e'er  return  ? 

Rouse  up,  my  soul ! 

Slumber  control, 

And  let  thy  lamp  burn  brightly ; 

So  shall  thine  eyes  discern 

Things  pure  and  sightly ; 

Taught  by  the  Spirit,  learn 

Never  on  prayerless  bed 

To  lay  thine  unblest  head. 

Bethink  thee,  slumbering  soul,  of  all  that's  promised 

To  faith,  in  holy  prayer. 

Lives  there,  within  thy  breast, 

A  worm  that  gives  unrest  ? 

Ask  peace  from  Heaven  j 

Peace  will  be  given. 

Humble  self-love 

Before  the  Crucified, 

Who  for  thy  sins  has  died— 

Nor  lay  thy  weary  head 

On  thankless,  prayerless  bed. 

Hast  thou  no  pining  want,  or  wish,  or  care, 

That  calls  for  holy  prayer  ? 

Has  thy  day  been  so  bright, 

That  in  its  flight 

There  is  no  trace  of  sorrow  1 

And  art  thou  sure  to-morrow 

Will  be  like  this  and  more 

Abundant?    Dost  thou  lay  up  store 

And  still  make  place  for  more? 

Thou  fool,  this  very  night 

Thy  soul  may  wing  its  flight. 


OJP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  61 

Hast  thou  no  being  than  thyself  more  dear, 

Who  tracks  the  ocean  deep, 

And  when  storms  sweep 

The  wintry,  lowering  skies, 

For  whom  thou  wakest  and  weepest "? 

Oh,  when  thy  pangs  are  deepest, 

Seek  thou  the  covenant  ark  of  prayer, 

For  He  that  slumbereth  not  is  there, 

His  ears  are  open  to  thy  cries — 

Oh,  then  on  prayerless  bed 

Lay  not  thy  thoughtless  head. 

Hast  thou  no  loved  one  than  thyself  more  dear, 

Who  claims  a  prayer  from  thee  ? 

Some  who  ne'er  bend  the  knee 

From  Infidelity  ? 

Thy^k  if  by  prayer  they're  brought, 

Thy  prayer  to  be  forgiven, 

And  making  peace  with  heaven, 

Unto  the  Cross  they're  led — 

Oh,  for  their  sakes,  on  prayerless  bed 

Lay  not  thine  unblest  head. 

Arouse  thee,  weary  soul,  yield  not  to  slumber, 
Till  in  communion  blest 
With  the  elect  thou  rest, 
Those  souls  of  countless  number, — 
And  with  them  raise 
The  notes  of  praise, 
Reaching  from  earth  to  heaven, — 
Chosen,  redeemed,  forgiven: 
So  lay  thy  happy  head 
Prayer-crowned,  on  blessed  bed. 
6 


62  A  MEMOIR 

The  recognition  of  the  omnipresence  of  the  Deity 
and   his  minute  supervision    and    direction   of  all 
events,  which  is  essentially  connected  with  the  due 
performance  of  prayer,  was  an  operative  principle 
in  M'iss  Mercer's  faith,  inwrought  with  the  very 
texture  of  her  soul,  and  influencing  her  in  every 
•action  of  her  life.     It  was  not  only  the  conviction 
that  God  was  about  her  path  and  about  her  bed, 
spying  out  all  her  ways,  but  the  feeling  of  confi- 
dence in  his  protection  was  ever  a  source  of  comfort 
and  support  to  her  in  her  hours  of  trial,  and  added 
increased  gratification  to  every  joy.     Great  as  were 
her  cares,  she  cast  them  upon  Him  who  cared  for 
her,  and  found  peace.     It  was  not  only  as  a  ground 
for  trust  and  comfort  that  she  held  tffis  doctrine, 
but  as  an  incentive  to  duty,  and  she  regarded  each 
event  so  ordered  of  God,  that  she  could  not  avoid  a 
duty  which  was  thrown  in  her  way  by  the  so-called 
chances  of  life.      Many   circumstances   might   be 
mentioned  illustrative  of  this.     Thus,  on  one  occa- 
sion she  writes:  "My  housemaid,  the  tall  sibylline 
figure  you  must  have  noticed,  has  been  taken  with 
distressing  fits,  which  indicate  equally  a  disordered 
mind  and  body.     She  has,  it  seems,  been  not  per- 
fectly  honest,  and   having  lately   been    converted 
after  their  fashion,  the  horrors  of  a  disturbed  con- 
science,  nervous    constitution,   and    great    natural 
pride,  aflect  her  in  such  a  way,  that  I  am  apprehen- 
sive of  her  losing  her  senses.     Of  course  she  is  an 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  63 

object  of  terror  to  the  children,  without  their  compre- 
hending the  nature  of  her  dreadful  contortions  and 
dismal  groanings.  I  do  not  know  where  to  bestow 
her,  and  she  has  no  friends  to  whom  I  may  send 
her,  and  yet  it  may  please  Him  who  is  to  be  with 
us  always,  to  make  us  here  the  ministers  of  mercy 
to  cast  out  this  evil  spirit,  and  I  dare  not  abandon 
a  fellow-creature  thus  committed  to  my  protection. 
How  many  offices  of  humanity  one  may  perform." 
Thus,  what  others  might  have  done  from  mere  feel- 
ings of  compassion,  or  even  with  reluctance,  as  a 
duty  which  could  not  be  thrust  aside,  became  with 
her  an  occasion  for  the  exercise  of  faith  in  the  pro- 
mised blessing  of  a  Saviour's  presence.  The  cup  of 
water  was  given  in  his  name  and  for  his  sake,  and 
the  wretched  outcast  with  "  no  friends  "  became  the 
representative  of  him  who  hath  said,  "  Inasmuch  as 
ye  did  ittooneoftheleastofthese,yediditunto  me." 
It  was  from  the  impulse  of  a  kindred  feeling  she 
was  led  to  take  under  her  protection  a  poor  vagrant 
boy,  whose  destitute  appearance  attracted  her  atten- 
tion on  board  a  steamboat.  Entering  into  conver- 
sation with  him,  she  found  he  was  without  friends, 
and  she  took  him  to  her  own  home,  clothed  him,  and 
placed  him  with  a  mechanic  as  an  apprentice.  Year 
after  year  she  watched  over  him,  with  an  interest 
not  only  not  abated,  but  increased  by  his  unsettled 
habits,  which  prevented  him  from  profiting  as  he 
should  have  done  by  her  efforts  for  his  good.  With 


64  A  MEMOIR 

all  his  defects,  he  ever  cleaved  to  her,  and  constant- 
ly returned  to  seek  her  protection,  until  at  last  he 
entered  upon  a  whaling  voyage,  and  was  lost  sight 
of.  Whatever  the  result  to  him,  even  though  her 
counsel  and  instruction  should  not  prove  to  have 
been  "seed  cast  upon  the  waters,"  found  in  the  end 
to  produce  a  harvest,  yet  she  has  not  missed  her  re- 
ward in  that  blessed*  kingdom  where  she  rests  from 
her  labour  followed  by  her  works.  A  similar, 
and  perhaps  still  more  striking  instance  occurred', 
in  which  she  extended  her  protection  to  one  who, 
bursting  through  the  toils  in  which  she  had  been 
entangled,  took  shelter  under  her  protection,  under 
circumstances  which  at  first  caused  Miss  Mercer  to 
question  the  propriety  of  extending  it.  But  after 
careful  investigation  she  determined  upon  her  course, 
influenced,  as  she  remarked  in  a  letter  to  a  friend, 
by  reverence  for  that  precept  of  the  law  of  Moses: 
"  '  Thou  shall  not  kill  the  bird  that  taketh  refuge 
in  thy  house.'  I  cannot  resign  one,  who  so  young, 
and  really  so  interesting,  has  taken  refuge  with  me 
from  the  wicked."  The  word  of  God  was  indeed 
the  treasure  from  which  she  ever  drew  things  new 
and  old;  and  actions  which  in  the  common  events  of 
life  are  performed  without  any  respect  to  principle, 
from  mere  habit  or.  impulse,  were  with  her  the  legi- 
timate offspring  of  simple  faith.  The  degree  in 
which  she  entered  into  the  feelings  of  the  humblest 
persons  connected  with  her,  was  especially  interest- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  65 

JB  .... 

ing.  While  she  ever  retained  a  self-respect  and 
dignity  of  manner  which  forbade  the  slightest  ap- 
proach towards  forward  familiarity,  all  in  her  em- 
ploy understood  that  she  regarded  their  interests  as 
much  as  her  own,  and  was  ever  ready  to  extend  to 
them  counsel  in  their  difficulties,  help  in  their  ne- 
cessities, and  sympathy  in  their  sorrow.  Instances 
of  this  trait  of  her  character,  small  in  themselves, 
but  constantly  recurring  at  every  period  of  her  life? 
are  treasured  up  in  the  memory  of  the  many  reci- 
pients of  her  kindness.  In  a  letter  received  from 
the  Rev.  G.  Adie,  rector  of  the  Episcopal  church  at 
Leesburgh,  who  officiated  regularly  at.  the  church  at 
Belmont,  after  its  erection,  and  who  was  for  years 
in  habits  of  almost  daily  intercourse  with  her,  he 
relates  the  following  incident,  which  may  serve  as 
an  example  of  her  warm  and  active  sympathy  with 
the  most  destitute  around  her,  and  the  humility  with 
which  she  performed  offices  of  kindness  in  their 
behalf. 

<(  Some  five  years  since,  I  received  a  message  from 
Miss  Mercer,  requesting  me  to  attend  at  the  Epis- 
copal church  in  this  place  at  a  specified  hour,  to 
perform  the  burial  service  over  the  remains  of  an 
aged  dependant.  She  had  never  been  in  the  em- 
ploy of  Miss  Mercer  herself,  but  a  son  and  daughter 
were  in  her  service.  They  were  Irish,  and  Wry 
ignorant.  I  attended  at  the  church  at  the  hour  ap- 
pointed, and  found  the  corpse  and  mourners  there 
6* 


66  A  MEMOIR 

in  waiting.  The  body  was  still  in  the  hearse,  and 
Miss  Mercer  stood  in  front  of  the  church,  with  the 
daughter  leaning  on  her  arm,  and  the  big  tears  of 
sympathetic  grief  rolling  down  her  cheek.  Thus 
she  walked  with  her  servants  to  the  grave  of  their 
mother,  by  looks,  actions,  and  words  administering 
consolation;  and  after  the  company  had  dispersed,  I 
saw  her  with  tears  still  in  her  eyes,  speaking  to  the 
rustic  daughter  and  still  more  rustic  son,  as  a  mother 
or  sister,  in  words  of  sympathy  and  tenderness." 
Was  not  this  an  appropriate  exercise  of  the  grace 
inculcated  in  the  precept  of  Him  who  said,  'If  I, 
then,  your  Lord  and  Master,  have  washed  your  feet, 
ye  ought  also  to  wash  one  another's  feet?' 

The  humility  and  gentleness  of  Miss  Mercer's 
character,  thus  exhibited,  were  so  remarkable,  that 
it  would  appear  impossible  for  any  other  feeling  to 
-dwell  in  the  same  bosom.  But  whilst  love  was  the 
influential,  all-pervading  principle  by  which  her  ac- 
tions were  regulated,  and  from  which  they  sprung, 
there  was  no  lack  of  that  energy  of  mind,  that 
dauntless  courage,  and  determined  adherence  to 
right,  which  is  generally  considered  the  attribute  of 
a  masculine  mind,  and  supposed  incompatible  with 
the  delicate  refinement  which  was  the  most  pro- 
minent feature  in  her  character.  At  an  early  pe- 
rioW)f  her  Christian  life,  she  writes  to  her  cousin, 
Miss  Hunter:  «  I  verily  believe  that,  though  often 
thrown  back  by  pride,  vanity,  and,  above  all,  by  my 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  67 

besetting  sin,  anger,  yet  I  am  under  the  discipline 
of  God's  own  hand,  and  the  atonement  is  all-suffi- 
cient. Ah!  who  does  not  feel  the  need  of  a  Re- 
deemer? I  know  I  never  practised  what  I  was  con- 
scious was  wrong,  and  yet  how  far  below  my  own 
-standard  is  my  life  and  conduct?"  Miss  Hunter 
remarks:  "  This  besetting  sin,  anger,  which  she  men- 
tions, would  give  the  reader  a  very  false  idea  of  her 
temper,  if  they  understood  these  words  au  pied  de 
lettre.  Like  most  persons  of  generous  disposition 
and  ardent  feelings,  her  temper  was  naturally  warm 
and  quick,  but  perfectly  devoid  of  all  peevishness 
and  resentment,  and  her  indignation  was  aroused 
rather  at  what  offended  her  high  and  pure  ideas  of 
religion  and  morality,  than  from  any  of  those  per- 
sonal causes  which  usually  excite  anger.  Oppres- 
sion, insincerity,  any  thing  tending  to  subvert  the 
true  and  the  good,  always  aroused  her  indignation 
and  resistance,  and  in  a  righteous  cause  she  was  ca- 
pable of  evincing  that  high  degree  of  moral  courage, 
that  unflinchingfortitude  which  are  generally  thought 
to  be  masculine  rather  than  feminine  attributes." 

There  was  one  friend  to  whom  Miss  Mercer  was 
strongly  attached,  and  to  whom  she  wrote  with 
much  freedom;  who,  though  possessed  of  an  intel- 
lect of  a  high  order,  and  affections  of  the  warmest 
kind,  was  yet  liable  to  a  nervous  affection,  which 
caused  great  affliction  both  to  her  friends  and  her- 
self, amounting  at  times  to  entire  alienation  of  a 


G8  A  MEMOIR 

mind  naturally  vigorous.  Near  neighbours  when  at 
home,  circumstances  often  separated  them.  The 
following  extracts  from  the  letters  of  Miss  Mercer 
show  the  warmth  of  her  sy  mpathies  and  her  readiness 
to  impart  consolation  or  instruction,  as  the  case  of 
her  friend  might  require.  She  thus  addressed  her 
on  the  occasion  of  the  sudden  death  of  a  mutual 
friend: — 

"  I  have  been  for  some  time  hoping  that  I  should 
have  the  gratification  of  hearing  from  you,  but  had 
I  had  any  thing  pleasing  to  communicate,  I  should 
have  been  tempted  to  write  without.  Now  that  the 
severe  and  sudden  affliction  which  it  has  pleased  an 
all-wise  Father  to  send  upon  you  has  opened  every 
source  of  sympathy,!  cannot  deny  myself  thesatisfac- 
tion  of  commencing.  I  know  but  too  well  that  there 
are  trials  in  which  God  says  to  every  days-man  who 
would  come  between  Him  and  the  creature  suffer- 
ing under  his  rod,  *  Stand  by  and  let  me  speak;'  and 
blessed  indeed  is  the  soul  which,  while  melted  in 
this  strong  fire,  receives  the  perfect  and  indelible 
impression  for  which  it  is  purposely  softened. 

"In  reflecting  on  the  painful  occurrence  from  which 
I  know  your  dear  mother  and  yourself  will  suffer 
so  deeply,  I  have  hoped  you  would  draw  much  con- 
solation from  the  certainty  that  to  her  it  was  evi- 
dently a  most  merciful  dispensation.  If  I  was  asked 
to  choose  a  desirable  fate,  I  would  say,  give  me 
health,  competence,  and  ease,  with  a  cultivated  nn- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  69 

derstanding,  an  equal  temper,  and  sanctify  them  all 
by  enlightened,  pious,  active  devotion,  and  end  this 
blessed  life  by  a  sudden  death." 

This  "cultivation  of  the  understanding"  was 
highly  prized  by  Miss  Mercer;  and  while  few 
equalled  her  in  warmth  of  affection  or  intensity  of 
feeling,  she  ever  strove  to  attain  to  higher  degrees 
of  intellectual  elevation,  so  that  with  her  mental 
development,  spiritual  growth  advanced  simultane- 
ously. Indeed,  the  improvement  of  her  mind  was 
regarded  as  much  a  privilege  as  a  duty,  and  was  un- 
dertaken with  the  desire  to  promote  the  glory  of 
Him  from  whom  its  powers  are  derived.  Miss 
Hunter,  in  speaking  of  this,  says: 

"  It  is  highly  interesting,  not  only  in  a  Christian, 
but  in  a  psychological  point  of  view,  to  trace  the 
progress  of  her  spiritual  and  intellectual  develop- 
ment as  connected  together  and  mutually  acting  on 
each  other.  The  progress  of  mind  in  her  case  was 
not  confined  to  an  acquisition  of  knowledge  and  ex- 
perience, an  increase  of  the  treasures  of  thought  as 
relating  only  to  the  intellect,  but  every  new  ray  of 
mental  light  was  accompanied  with  a  brighter  illu- 
mination of  moral  and  religious  truth.  An  intimate 
acquaintance  with  her  would  have  been  a  sufficient 
refutation  of  the  vulgar  error,  that  the  mind  is  nar- 
rowed in  proportion  as  it  is  brought  under  the  influ- 
ence of  strict  religious  principle  and  feeling.  Con- 
sistency, elevation  and  determination  of  purpose,  a 


70  A  MEMOIR 

steadier  and  more  enlightened  view  of  the  great  ends 
of  human  existence,  combined  with  that  glorious 
liberty  of  mind  which  arises  from  the  constant  habit 
of  referring  to  the  word  of  God  as  a  standard  of 
opinion  and  action,  without  regard  to  the  opinion 
of  man,  are  the  natural  accompaniments  of  real  re- 
ligious progress;  and  to  all  who  knew  Miss  Mercer 
intimately,  these  blessed  and  genuine  fruits  of  Chris- 
tianity were  plainly  evident  in  her  life  and  charac- 
ter. She  knew  and  admitted  that  claim  in  the  first 
law  of  holiness,  which  is  so  often  overlooked,  even 
by  pious  persons:  she  loved  the  Lord  her  God  with 
all  her  mind,  as  well  as  with  all  her  soul,  with  all 
her  strength,  and  with  'all  her  heart." 

Yet  energetic  as  was  her  mind,  and  diligent  as 
were  her  efforts  to  attain  to  the  utmost  degree  of 
development  of  intellectual  power  within  her  reach, 
she  could  also  appreciate  and  cultivate  that  retire- 
ment of  feeling  in  which  the  spirit  turns  in  upon 
itself,  and  seeks  rn  quietness  to  know  its  own  con- 
dition, without  much  active  exercise  of  thought. 
Thus,  in  writing  to  the  friend  whose  afflictions  have 
been  alluded  to,  she  says:  "I  have  been  staying  at 
home  for  a  week  in  perfect  solitude.  If,  as  I  am 
well  persuaded  from  observation,  as  well  as  from 
sacred  instruction,  the  ties  of  social  life  were,  and 
are,  and  must  be  essential  to  man's  nature,  I  am  no 
less  certain  that  it  is  necessary  that  we  should  com- 
mune with  our  hearts  in  our  own  chambers,  and  be 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.          71 

still.  I  would  not  give  the  effect,  even  for  present 
comfort,  which  this  season  of  retirement  has  had  on 
my  heart  and  mind  for  all  that  I  could  gather  in 
years  of  bustling  activity  in  the  world.  But,  alas! 
this  soothing  balm,  poured  over  the  weary  and  ha- 
rassed spirit,  cannot  be  always  enjoyed.  Duty  for- 
bids it;  and  even  the  restless  energies  of  our  nature 
are  no  sooner  recruited  by  repose,  than  they  must 
again  '  be  up  and  doing.'  '  Thus,  in  all  circum- 
stances she  found  lessons  of  wisdom.  After  refer- 
ring to  other  matters,  she  exhibits  the  strength  of 
her  affection: — "Many  and  strong  as  my  ties  are, 
still  there  are  few  of  my  connexions — may  I  not  say 
none? — from  whom  through  life  I  have  derived  so 
much  and  so  unalloyed  pleasure  as  from  you.  I  re- 
member, with  swelling  heart  and  a  full  eye,  that 
when  I  came  home  young,  impetuous,  and  incau- 
tious, open  to  censure  on  every  side,  you  received 
me  with  a  warmth  of  affection  which  has  never  va- 
ried in  fifteen  years,  through  health  and  through 
sickness,  through  weal  and  through  wo.  I  wish  I 
could  send  you  the  tear  that  is  falling  over  this 
thought,  for  never  was  a  more  genuine  tribute  paid 
to  generous  affection, — the  tear  I  have  brushed  away, 
but  the  feeling  is  as  permanent  as  the  expression  is 
transient."  And  this  was  no  empty  declamation, 
as  was  proved  by  a  continuance  of  the  warmest 
friendship  and  truest  sympathy  through  twenty  ad- 
ditional years,  in  each  of  which  that  friend  drank 


72  A  MEMOIR 

more  and  more  deeply  of  the  chalice  of  affliction. 
After  one  of  these  seasons  of  distress,  Miss  Mercer 
thus  greeted  a  letter  from  her: — 

"You  can  hardly  imagine,  my  dear  friend,  how 
much  pleased  I  was  to  see  once  more  your  hand- 
writing; and  although  I  am  much  distressed  to  find 
you  sad,  yet  it  is  a  great  privilege  to  have  a  letter 
from  you.  I  think  of  you  every  hour  at  this  season, 
because  I  know  so  well  what  enjoyment  you  have 
in  the  return  of  the  floral  months, — enjoyments, 
however,  which  belong  to  the  spring-time  of  our 
lives,  when  the  senses  are  peculiarly  alive  to  plea- 
sure, and  which  naturally  decay  with  our  years. 
For  my  own  part,  I  find  every  year  the  bloom  of 
my  flowers  seems  to  produce  less  effect  upon  my 
sight,  and  they  become  graver  and  more  solemn, 
though  affectionate  mementoes  of  the  rapid  passage 
of  this  troubled  span. 

"  I  went  yesterday  into  the  graveyard,  and  the 
violets  which  I  had  planted  with  my  own  hands, 
close  to  the  head  of  my  mother's  grave,  had  spread 
all  around,  and  the  ground  was  enamelled  with  them. 
Thus  it  is  that  God  has  ordained  that  forms  of  be- 
ing, which  belong  solely  to  the  material  creation, 
shall  be  much  more  permanent  and  unperishable, 
than  that  burden  of  dust,  which  ties  down  the  spi- 
ritual being  to  an  unnatural  state,  if  we  may  so  ex- 
press ourselves.  How  confused  are  all  our  percep- 
tions, while  afflicted  by  this  incongruous  union  of  a 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MEKCJER.  73 

material  and  spiritual  being.  And  yet  this  is  the 
only  means  which  we  can  conceive  of  making  us 
acquainted  with  the  high  perfections  of  that  state, 
in  which  we  are  to  have  celestial  bodies  eternal  in 
the  skies,  and  leading  us  to  long  to  lay  down  this 
body  of  sin  and  death,  and  rise  incorruptible  and 
immortal.  Oh,  my  dear  friend,  how  much  does  it 
console  me,  when  I  gtieve  for  the  afflictions  of  your 
present  state,  and  think  how  the  heaven-born  spirit 
is  darkened  by  the  veil  of  flesh,  to  look  forward  to 
meeting  you  at  the  mercy  seat  of  Him  who  over- 
came the  flesh  by  His  precious  death,  and  opens  his 
tender  arms  to  all  that  mourn.  Mental  diseases  and 
afflictions  are  the  severest  trials  of  our  probationary 
state,  and  one  is  sometimes  amazed  at  the  myste- 
riousness  of  God's  providence  when  they  behold 
His  most  faithful  servants  passing  away  from  the 
earth  under  such  clouds.  But  even  here  we  must 
remember  the  blessed  Jesus  on  the  cross,  and  with 
David  say,  'This  is  my  infirmity;'  and  with  Job, 
'  Though  He  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him.'  .  .  . 
.  .  .  The  Man  who  gave  up  the  ghost,  saying:  '  My 
God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?'  is  now 
at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne,  most  high  in  the 
glory  of  God  the  Father.  Sacred,  mysterious  les- 
son of  humility  and  patience!  Job  did  not  receive 
double  in  earthly  treasures  as  the  reward  of  his  faith. 
Though  he  had  died  scraping  his  sores  with  a  pot- 
sherd, he  would  have  been  the  same  Job  in  the  sight 
7 


74  A  MEMOIR 

of  God,  and  like  Lazarus  have  been  carried  into 
Abraham's  bosom  by  exulting  angels.  Let  me  en- 
treat you  then  still,  my  precious  friend,  to  try  to 
keep  this  in  view,  even  when  the  light  of  His  coun- 
tenance is  turned  from  you,  and  the  Prince  of  this 
world  comes  in  the  power  of  darkness  and  despair. 
Remember  that  to  whom  you  deliberately  give 
yourself,  to  Him  you  belong,  and  still  the  troubled 
waters  of  your  soul  with  the  recollection  of  his  love 
and  his  sufferings,  who  was  worthy  to  be  accepted 
as  a  full  oblation  and  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world.  Do  not  look  upon  the  thorn  in  the 
flesh,  which  we  all  bear  in  the  body  of  sin  and  cor- 
ruption, as  the  sin  of  the  spirit.  Cast  all  your  cares 
and  fears  upon  Him,  and  know  for  a  certainty, 
whether  you  can  at  all  times  see  it  or  not,  that  He 
is  almighty  to  save,  and  that  none  ever  desired  to  be 
saved  by  Him,  and  were  rejected.  If  any  have  said 
they  desired  it,  and  have  not  mourned  over  a  broken 
and  contrite  heart, they  lied  unto  Him  with  their  lips, 
and  deceived  Him  with  their  tongues.  They  were 
mere  lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God,  and 
wished  not  to  see  his  holiness,  his  righteousness,  but 
had  some  vague  earthly  notions  of  inheriting  a  sen- 
sual heaven,  like  their  earthly  imaginations.  This 
is  not  you.  What  are  your  prayers,  but  for  holiness 
and  conformity  to  God  ?  This  is  what  He  desires, 
and  you  shall  yet  enjoy  your  desires;  therefore,  my 
dear,  dear  friend,  try  to  keep  it  in  mind.  The  cloud 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  75 

is  over  your  eyes,  but  the  Sun  of  God  is  shining 
bright  upon  you — you  shall  yet  see  it,  and  though 
you  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
fear  no  evil,  for  God  is  there,  and  God  is  love." 

There  was  ever  a  sweetness  and  gentleness  in  the 
tones  of  her  consolation,  and  a  rich  power  in  the 
themes  she  chose,  upon  which  to  dwell,  which  gave 
additional  strength  to  the  effort  she  put  forth  to  lead 
the  souls  of  those  who  mourned  or  suffered  to  that 
state  of  resignation  in  which  only  peace  can  be 
found. 

It  is  easy  for  such  as  have  never  known  sorrow 
to  sit  down,  whilst  themselves  enjoying  all  the  bless- 
ings of  Providence,  and  preach  to  others  the  pro- 
priety of  submission  to  the  Divine  will.  It  is  another 
thing  to  feel  this  submission  in  our  own  case ;  and, 
not  inexperienced,  to  draw  them  to  a  source  of  con- 
solation of  which  we  have  ourselves  tasted,  and  of 
which  we  have  proved  the  power  to  heal,  and  sanc- 
tify. It  was  from  deep  personal  experience  Miss 
Mercer  wrote.  She  had  herself,  at  this  time,  drunk 
deeply  of  the  cup  of  sorrow,  and  the  waves  of  afflic- 
tion had  rolled,  in  all  their  heaviness,  over  her  soul. 
The  one  she  had  found,  though  grievous  at  the  first, 
yielding  peaceful  fruits  of  righteousness,  and  she 
had  experienced  the  power  of  Jesus  to  speak  to  the 
other,  and  cause  the  tempest  to  subside  into  a  great 
calm.  It  was,  therefore,  with  experimental  power 
that  she  strove  to  lead  her  friend  to  the  same  holy 


76  A  MEMOIR 

submission,  the  sweet  influence  of  which  she  had  so 
eminently  proven.  At  another  time  she  thus  ad- 
dressed the  same  friend: 

"Mr  DEAR  FRIEND, — 

"This  morning  I  am  thirty-three  years  old! 
How  short  seems  the  time  since  I  wept  bitterly  to 
think  I  was  sixteen,  and  so  .deficient  as  I  felt  myself. 
More  than  an  equal  period  has  elapsed,  and  I  would 
weep  again  even  more  bitterly,  had  I  not  meanwhile 
discovered  that  there  is  a  sufficiency  for  man's  in- 
sufficiency, and  that  all  that  we  can  acquire  by  our 
best  services,  is  a  consciousness  that  we  are  unpro- 
fitable servants,  and  a  devoted  confidence  in  Christ, 
the  power  of  God  and  the  wisdom  of  God,  who  is 
able  to  save  all  who  will  be  saved.  Oh,  merciful 
Saviour  of  a  sinful  world,  let  me  never  have  any 
other  hope  or  desire  but  to  be  forgiven  for  my  Re- 
deemer's sake,  to  be  cleansed  by  His  atoning  blood, 
to  glory  in  His  cross,  and  to  say  in  spirit  and  in 
truth,  I  am  altogether  worthless  and  of  unclean  lips; 
there  is  no  truth  in  me.  But  thou  art  true  and  faith- 
ful to  forgive  all  my  sins  and  to  heal  all  my  infir- 
mities. You,  my  ever  dear  friend,  have  gone 
through  a  fiery  furnace  of  affliction,  but  I  fear  you 
have  never  yet,  even  in  your  sound  moments,  real- 
ized the  nature  of  that  sustaining  faith  which  renders 
it  impossible  for  the  believer  to  sink  where  the  rea- 
son is  unimpaired.  Can  you  not,  my  dear,  dear, 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  77 

Miss ,  acquire  that  meek  and  contrite  sense  of 

the  utter  inability  of  man  to  do  any  thing;  of  the 
utter  insignificance  of  our  own  being  and  nature,  so 
as  to  confess  that  you  are  not  worthy  so  much  as  to 
pick  up  the  crumbs  from  your  Father's  table  ?  No- 
thing, depend  upon  it,  is  acceptable  in  His  eyes  but 
the  spirit  of  Lazarus,  whose  sores  the  dogs  came  and 
licked.  Had  that  poor  sufferer  resented  even  this  act 
of  compassion,  and  rebelled  against  even  this  degree 
of  degradation,  he  would  have  been  no  happier  in 
!iis  fate  than  the  rich  man  who  wore  purple  and  fine 
linen.  Do  not  misapprehend  my  meaning,  and  sup- 
pose for  an  instant  that  I  am  not  sensible  of  the  pe- 
culiar sufferings  to  which  you  are  exposed  from 
bodily  disease  and  nervous  irritability;  but  the  will 
of  a  rational  creature,  I  must  ever  think,  is  indepen- 
dent of  outward  circumstances,  and  the  will  can  and 
ought  to  submit  itself  implicitly  to  the  will  of  God. 
'Let  God  be  true,  and  every  man  a  liar.7  We  have 
no  right,  in  self-defence,  to  impute  to  him  conduct 
which  He  denies;  and  let  us  take  care  that  we  be  not 
found  fighting  against  God,  when  we  say  He  tries 
us  above  that  which  we  are  able  to  bear.  « Are  not 
my  ways  equal,  are  not  your  ways  unequal?' 

"Now,  my  precious  friend,  I  am  as  confident  as 
I  am  of  my  existence,  that  the  moment  you  will  sub- 
mit the  pride  of  the  flesh,  as  a  willing  sacrifice  at  the 
foot  of  the  Cross,  and  will  say,  I  will  'joy  in  tribu- 
lations,' I  will  '  die  daily,  that  being  *  crucified 
7* 


73  A  MEMOIR 

with  Christ,  I  may  also  rise  with  him  ;'  that  moment, 
the  fiends  of  remorse  and  despair  which  now  haunt 
you,  will  be  '  cast  out,'  never  to  possess  your  soul 
again.  My  friend,  love  me,  believe  me  when  I  say 
to  you,  'Trust  in  the  goodness  of  God.'  'Resist 
the  devil,'  by  the  grace  of  God  which  is  freely  given 
to  all  who  ask  it,  and  he  will  'flee  from  you.' ' 

Some  further  extracts  from  letters  to  her  friends 
will  illustrate  the  state  of  her  religious  feelings.  *- 

"But  alas,  alas!  what  is  the  world  with  all  it» 
fleeting  show?  '  There  is  nothing  true  but  heaven.' 
'Oh,  man,  place  not  thy  happiness  in  this  life/ 
was  the  affecting  exclamation  of  the  virtuous,  the 
wise,  the  powerful  monarch,  who,  beloved  by  his 
subjects^and  respected  by  himself,  numbered  four- 
teen happy  days  of  life.  Religion,  such  as  Abdul- 
rahman  did  not  possess  the  advantage  of,  is  certainly 
the  only  source  of  perfect  happiness.  But  when 
shall  religion  obtain  the  perfect  sway  which  places 
us  above  the  world,  like  the  eminences  which  are 
scattered  over  the  face  of  the  globe.  We  often,  by 
strong  impulses  and  efforts,  attain  a  point  from  which 
all  earthly  concerns  seem  to  be  vanishing  from  our 
view.  But  prone  to  action,  we  presently  descend 
again  from  our  height,  to  mix  in  the  grovelling  herd. 
Happy  they  who  can  fix  their  eyrie  in  such  lofty 
scenes,  and  only  descending  to  the  earth  for  the 
support  of  their  mortal  existence,  find  all  their  plea- 
sure in  soaring  sublime  where  God  alone  abides. 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  79 

For  myself,  I  am  so  weary  of  the  imperfections  of 
my  nature,  the  constant  failures  where  I  had  thought 
myself  most  safe,  that  I  am  ready  to  lay  my  head  in 
the  dust  and  cover  it  with  the  ashes  of  contrition." 
"  The  hermitess  of  Cedar  Park  sends  this  to  her 
beloved  friend,  greeting.     Yes,  my  dear  cousin,  at 
last  I  have  accomplished  the  wish  of  my  heart,  and 
alone  with  my  reconciled  God,  I  am  enjoying  a  rest 
for   my   weary   spirit.     Long,  too   long  have  the 
whirlwinds  of  human  passions  made  me  their  sport; 
and  now  that  I  am  freed  from  the  bonds  which  social 
connexions  weave  around  our  hearts,  I  feel  as  if  life 
had  been  one  long  troubled  dream  or  a  horrid  night- 
mare, and  I  had  just  awoke  and  satisfied  myself  that 
my  real  existence  held  out  the  promise  of  a  pure 
serene  sky  and  a  quiet  rest.     I  have  been  now  five 
days  without  beholding  the  face  of  a  human  creature 
except  the  servants,  until  the  doctor  came  in  for  a 
moment  this  evening.     I  am  in  really  good  health, 
such  as  I  never  hoped  to  enjoy,  as  good  as  any  body's. 
I  live  temperately,  read  good  books,  and  have  even 
gone  back  to  my  youthful  tastes,  read  Cymbeline 
with   delight,  and  have  experienced  that  sensation 
which  the  French  call  being  '  emu,'  from  reading 
the  Allegro  once  more,  in  a  degree  that  I  never  felt 
it  from  poetry  before.     Yet,  is  this  sweet  serenity 
not  the  consequence  of  indulging  in  these  pleasures 
of  imagination,  but  the  taste  for  the  pleasures  is 
produced  by  the  serenity  of  the  mind;  and  the  se- 


80  A  MEMOIR 

renity  is  the  Spirit  of  God  moving  on  the  deep,  and 
saying  to  the  waves, '  Peace,  be  still.'  What  time 
this  happy  calm  may  last,  I  fear  to  think.  I  am  so 
in  love  with  it  that  I  could  almost  be  tempted  to 
wish,  like  Cowper,  that 

'  Rumour  of  the  world  might  never  reach  me  more;' 
for  except  in  the  connexion  with  my  beloved  Essex 
friends,  I  may  truly  say  that  human  affections  have 
ever  been  the  fruitful  source  of  unhappiness,  and 
that  in  proportion  as  they  have  been  strong,  they 
have  always  been  afflicting  to  me.  Hopes  seem 
contrived  like  the  steps  of  a  ladder,  placed  against 
the  heavens,  which  as  we  pass  ardently  on,  looking 
from  one  to  another,  are  drawn  silently  out  beneath 
our  feet,  until  when  we  stop,  weary  and  discouraged, 
and  would  return  whence  we  came,  we  find  a  chasm 
no  more  to  be  retraced.  Every  stay  has  vanished 
that  we  firmly  relied  on,  and  our  only  chance  of 
safety  seems  to  be  in  reaching  the  ultimate  goal 
where  we  may  find  rest  for  our  fainting  souls.  Yet 
how  long  is  it,  even  after  reaching  this  point,  before 
we  approach  near  enough  to  be  completely  weaned 
in  our  affections,  and  intent  only  upon  the  bright 
prospect  before  us.  Prone  to  the  earth,  the  flesh 
weighs  down  our  imperfect  spirits,  and  if  it  were 
not  for  the  gracious  mercy  of  Providence  in  thus  as 
it  were  cheating  us  into  our  salvation,  how  few 
would  reach  the  mansions  of  the  accepted  in  God. 
"I  do  not  mean  when  I  speak  of  the  serenity  I 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  81 

am  enjoying,  to  deceive  you  into  the  idea  that  no 
cares,  no  painful  anxious  feelings  and  reflections  in- 
trude even  here.  *  Man  is  born  to  trouble,  as  the 
sparks  fly  upward/  and  as  we  are  heirs  of  peace  and 
joy  through  the  death  of  Christ,  so  while  in  the  flesh 
will  we  find  that  we  are  heirs  also  to  the  imperfec- 
tions and  the  miseries  of  humanity.  Often,  too 
often  indeed,  from  the  ardour  of  our  natural  impulses, 
the  strength  of  our  imaginations  and  the  weakness 
of  our  judgments,  we  involve  ourselves  in  pains 
and  perplexities  which  we  can  scarcely  refer  to  our 
fate.  But  even  then,  when  the  intentions  are  pure, 
honest,  and  generous,  we  have  a  Father,  who  seeth 
our  weakness,  and  provides  for  our  safety.  I  never 
but  once  in  my  life  suffered  the  agitation  of  mind 
which  I  have  gone  through  since  last  summer;  but 
when  it  pleases  God  to  carry  us  through  trials  in 
which  human  aid  cannot  avail  us,  He  seems  to  place 
us  out  of  the  reach  of  every  earthly  dependence, 

and 

" '  When  thus  humbled, 
When  to  our  feeble  natural  powers  resigned, 
'Tis  then  we  own  this  universal  truth, 
That  God  is  all  in  all,  and  man  is  nothing.' 

"The  storm  has  passed  in  its  power,  and  my  house 
still  stands, '  for  it  was  built  upon  a  rock.'  But  I 
hear  ever  and  anon  the  distant  rushing  of  the  tem- 
pest's wing,  and  I  tremble  with  the  dread  of  its  re- 
turn ;  for,  indeed,  I  am  too  humble  with  the  sense 


82  A  MEMOIR 

of  my  own  weakness  to  feel  any  security,  until  'I 
stand  in  His  own  likeness  in  the  presence  of  God.' 
How  blessed  even  for  this  life  is  the  injunction  to 
'  press  forward  to  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  our 
high  calling,  not  looking  to  the  things  which  are 
behind/  " 

Such  was  the  habitual  state  of  her  heart,  and  thus, 
by  the  strength  of  her  reasoning,  the  beauty  and 
force  of  her  illustrations,  and  the  appropriate  ele- 
gance of  unpremeditated  expression,  she  exhibited 
a  character  worthy  of  all  admiration. 

In  nothing,  except  by  the  actual  prevalence  of 
moral  degradation,  is  the  ruin  brought  upon  the 
creation  by  "man's  first  disobedience,"  so  strikingly 
exhibited  as  it  is  by  the  impossibility  of  arriving  at 
certain,  positive,  unquestioned  results,  by  any  pro- 
cess of  reasoning.  Turn  we  to  what  branch  of 
human  knowledge  we  may,  we  find  the  loftiest  in- 
tellects still  debating  and  doubting;  or  if  individuals 
have  arrived  at  a  certainty  satisfactory  to  themselves, 
where  do  we  find  unity  of  conviction  on  the  part  of 
the  many  fellow-investigators  of  the  same  subject  ? 
Even  when  for  a  time  a  master  mind  appears,  and 
carries  with  it  the  throng,  who  are  followers,  only 
because  content  not  to  think  for  themselves,  the 
moment  another  teacher  arises,  the  crowd  diverges 
into  the  new  track,  or  divides.  When  the  same 
result  is  arrived  at,  how  often  does  the  imperfection 
of  language,  man's  highest  attainment,  produce  mis- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  63 

conception,  and  give  rise  to  controversy.  Every 
branch  of  human  knowledge — the  science  of  go- 
vernment, law,  medicine,  is  liable  to  this  remark. 
Even  those  which  are  the  subjects  of  direct  observa- 
tion, as  astronomy,  natural  philosophy,  chemistry, 
are  not  exempt.  If  such  be  the  case  in  matters 
within  the  scope  of  our  understanding,  how  pre- 
sumptuous is  it  to  suppose  that  our  finite  faculties 
are  able  to  comprehend  all  the  mysteries  of  the 
dealings  of  the  Creator  with  the  works  of  his  hand. 
The  language  of  Dryden  is  aptly  descriptive  of  the 
relation  which  reason  bears  to  revelation. 

"  Dim  as  the  borrowed  light  of  moon  and  star 
To  weary,  way-worn,  wandering  traveller, 
Is  reason  to  the  soul.    And  as  on  high 
These  rolling  fires  discover  but  the  sky, 
Not  light  us  here,  so  reason's  ray 
Serves  not  to  assure  us  on  our  doubtful  way, 
But  guide  us  upward  to  a  letter  day.'* 

It  is,  however,  upon  this  reason  that  the  better 
day  must  shine,  and  through  its  instrumentality  are 
effected  the  great  purposes  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 
While,  therefore,  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  the  grand 
fundamental  principles  of  revealed  truth  are  so  plain, 
that,  to  use  its  own  illustration,  the  wayfaring  man, 
though  a  fool,  cannot  err  in  the  way  of  salvation,  it 
is  but  reasonable  to  expect  just  that  divergency  of 
thought,  artd  discrepancy  of  opinion  on  points  of 
inferior  moment,  which  observation  of  man  has 
taught  us  to  exist  in  every  age  of  the  church.  How 


84  A  MEMOIR 

few  are  there,  even  among  that  small  number  univer- 
sally recognised  as  possessed  of  the  loftiest  intelli- 
gence and  purest  faith,  who  have  not  held  opinions 
on  some  points  from  which  others  equally  great  and 
equally  good,  have  differed.  Man  is  thus  taught  a  les- 
son of  humility,  as  regards  his  own  powers,  and  of 
charity  towards  the  opinions  of  other,  which  he  is 
slow  to  receive  and  act  upon.  This  infirmity  .of  rea- 
son was  manifested  in  Miss  Mercer's  case,  and  she 
was  led  by  it  to  the  adoption  of  some  views  on  theo- 
logical subjects,  essentially  different  from  those  held 
by  any  known  sect  of  Christians,  and  with  her  wonted 
energy  of  character  she  devoted  herself  with  the 
utmost  assiduity  to  the  investigation  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, which  she  recognised  as  the  only  standard  by 
which  truth  in  religion  could  be  tested,  in  order  to 
sustain  her  principles.  Not  satisfied  with  this,  she 
undertook  the  study  of  Hebrew,  in  order  to  draw, 
as  she  thought,  more  purely  from  the  fountain  head; 
and  devoted  herself  with  untiring  zeal  to  the  pre- 
paration of  an  essay  on  her  peculiar  opinions,  which 
extended  to  some  two  hundred  pages,  and  was  care- 
fully prepared  for  the  press,  having  been  a  fourth 
time  copied  with  her  own  hand. 

Her  every  power  of  heart  and  intellect  was  com- 
pletely absorbed  in  this  subject;  scarce  a  letter  was 
written  at  the  time,  without  some  allusion  to  it. 
"If  it  were  possible,"  she  says  at  one  time,  "I 
should  rejoice  to  think  that  I  waa  never  to  go  be- 


^ 

OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  85 

yond  sight  of  that   little  enclosure,*  'where  will 
shortly  repose  silent,  low  in  beds  of  dust,  those  who 
loved  me  first,  last,  midst,  and   I  devolitly  trust, 
without  end.     I  am  deeply  engrossed  at  present  in 
an  inquiry,  by  which  I  suppose  I  must  bring  on 
myself  much  odium,  and  consent  that  some  of 'my 
admirers  should  be  removed  far  from  me.'     How- 
ever, let  that  be;  I  would  willingly  compound  to 
-hear  the  world's  reproach  to  advance  a  good  end, 
and  this  I  have  so  much  at  heart  that  I  feel  as 
though  faith   could   remove  mountains.     If  I   can 
succeed,  the  labour  will  yet  be  one  of  months;  but 
it  makes  me  happy.     I  think  of  nothing  else;  I  am 
pondering  it  in  my  bed,  and   writing  or  reading 
every  spare  moment  through  the  day.     Sdmetimes 
I  find  myself  lost  in  the  contemplation  of  the  sub- 
lime whole;  sometimes  bewildered  in  the  minute 
branching  of  the  subject.     However,  if  I  devote  my 
life  to  it,  it  will  never  tire  me."     At  another  time 
she  says:  "A  laborious  business  it  is,  but  I  am  so 
convinced  that  it  is  very  important  to  the  interests 
of  religion,  that  I  am  as  bad  as  old  Mause  Hiedelrig, 
who  would  'hold   up  her  testimony  to  the  last.' 
However,  don't  you  take  advantage  of  the  unfortu- 
nate coincidence  of  names,  and  dub  me  'old  Mause,' 
for  I  shall  have  enough  to  contend  with,  and  expect 

*  A  family  burial-place  in  the  grounds  at  Cedar  Park.  The  letter 
was  written  in  the  interval  between  the  death  of  her  father,  and  the  re- 
moval »f  his  remains  from  Philadelphia. 

8 

•  * 


86  A  MEMOIR 

nothing  less  than  that  the  Protestant  bishops  will 
apply  to  the  Pope  for  a  bull  of  excommunication 
against  me."  And  again  she  says:  "Since  you  left, 

Mr. has  lightened  my  heart  of  a  considerable 

load  by  his  liberal  treatment  of  my  opinions,  as  it 
is  a  great  satisfaction  to  know  that  the  best  Chris- 
tians find  nothing  offensive,  when  they  come  to 
hear  all.  I  should  be  governed  by  his  moderate  and 
prudent  counsel,  were  I  not  urged  on  by  motives 
paramount  to  all  human  considerations.  'If  it  be 
not  of  God,  it  will  come  to  naught;'  if  it  be,  I  must 
not  be  found  resisting  his  will,  which  certainly 
it  would  be,  to  yield  conscience  to  human  authori- 
ty." 

And  yet  it  was  by  these  "moderate  and  prudent 
counsels,"  and  this  "liberal  treatment  of  her  opi- 
nions," that  she  was  influenced.  A  less  experienced 
and  sincere  Christian  than  Mr. ,  by  hasty  con- 
demnation and  opposition  would  hare  kindled  the 
natural  determination  of  her  character  into  a  resist- 
less flame,  and  instead  of  a  life  of  usefulness,  in 
training  souls  for  glory,  and  honour,  and  immor- 
tality, the  whole  energy  of  her  character  would 
have  been  wasted  in  a  futile  attempt  to  establish  an 
opinion  of  her  own,  which  would  have  necessarily 
arrayed  in  hostility  to  her  the  advocates  of  every 
known  Christian  sect.  Bishop  Johns  writes  of  her 
religious  opinions  as  follows: 

"With  regard  to  Miss  Mercer's  sentiments  on 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  87 

the  subject  of  revealed  truth,  I  have  reason  to  know 
that  some  twenty  years  since,  she  was  inclined  to 
adopt  and  maintain  views  on  certain  speculative 
points  which  neither  you  nor  I  could  approve,  and 
which  it  was  to  be  feared  might  have  had  an  un- 
happy influence  on  her  religious  character  and  course. 
I  always  ascribed  this  strange  obliquity  to  the  power- 
ful excitement  of  her  sympathies,  which,  for  a  time 
at  least,  seemed  to  bring  her  strong  intellect  into 
subjection,  and  made  it  work  in  captivity  to  her 
natural  feelings.  She  was  then  possessed  with  the 
vast  importance  of  what 'she  regarded  as  new  light, 
and  flattered  herself  that  it  would  remove  some  of 
the  serious  difficulties  in  the  way  of  the  progress  of 
religion.  At  the  period  to  which  I  refer,  she  was 
pleased  to  submit  to  my  inspection  a  long  and  la- 
boured essay  on  the  points  alluded  to,  from  publish- 
ing which  I  endeavoured  to  dissuade  her.  Her  good 
sense  and  self-control  determined  her  to  restrain  her 
own  inclination  in  deference  to  the  unanimous  coun- 
sel of  friends  in  whose  judgment  she  had  confidence. 
The  essay  was  suppressed,  and  from  that  time  I 
never  heard  her  allude  to  the  views  it  contained; 
nor  should  I,  but  for  the  correspondence  wfiich  had 
passed  between  us,  have  supposed  for  a  moment  that 
such  views  had  ever  been  regarded  by  her  with  even 
transient  favour.  In  all  my  subsequent  intercourse 
I  found  her  the  earnest,  able  advocate  of  that  sys- 
tem of  doctrine  which  we  hold  to  be  evangelical, 


A  MEMOIR 

and  which  distinguishes  the  writings  of  Romaine, 
Newton,  Scott,  and  Wilberforce, — the  doctrines  of 
grace  as  set  forth  in  our  thirty-nine  articles.  These 
were  her  sustenance  and  strength,  effectually  in- 
wrought in  her  experience,  and  beautifully  illustra- 
ted in  her  consistently  holy  conversation  and  useful 
life;  and  as  they  animated  her  own  soul  in  the  cause 
of  Christian  duty,  so  on  them  she  relied  in  her  un- 
wearied efforts  to  educate  others  for  the  service  of 
God  on  earth,  and  for  his  presence  and  glory  in 
heaven.  She  has  finished  that  course  with  signal 
honour  and  triumph,  and  received  her  crown;  and 
hereafter,  I  doubt  not,  will  be  recognised  in  the 
order  of  those  who,  having  turned  many  to  right- 
eousness, shall  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever." 
That  ihe  defective  opinions  now  referred  to,  did 
not  at  all  involve  the  great  fundamental  truths  of 
revelation,  neither  diminishing  her  estimate  of  the 
entire  ruin  of  man  by  the  fall,  nor  her  appreciation 
of  the  necessity  of  divine  intervention  for  the  re- 
storation of  our  race  from  the  consequences  of  sin, 
must  be  evident  to  all  who  read  the  exposition  of 
her  views  on  these  subjects,  in  her  correspondence 
with  her  friends.  That  she  worshipped  constantly, 
and  from  choice,  according  to  the  mode  prescribed 
,  by  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  proves  her  ap- 
probation of  the  doctrines  and  discipline  of  that 
church;  nor  did  she  hesitate  to  avow  her  increasing 
attachment  to  its  services.  With  several  of  its 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER."  89 

bishops  and  many  of  its  members  she  maintained 
an  uninterrupted  intercourse;  and  one  of  the  latest 
efforts  of  her  life  was  made  to  secure  the  services  of 
Bishop  Meade,  for  whose  character  she  had  the 
highest  reverence,  in  the  confirmation  of  her  pupils, 
led  through  her  instrumentality  to  consecrate  them- 
selves to  the  service  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  To  the 
liturgy  and  other  offices  for  public  worship,  she  was 
deeply  attached,  and  often  expressed  the  increasing 
delight  with  which  she  united  in  them.  And  the 
edifice  erected  by  her  untiring  zeal,  and  by  her  own 
desire  consecrated  to  the  worship  of  God  according 
to  the  usages  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  will  stand  as 
a  permanent  witness  to  her  soundness  in  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  our  faith. 

Some  of  the  expressions  of  the  letters  recently 
introduced  afford  sufficient  eyidence  that  we  have 
now  reached  a  period  in  the  history  of  Miss  Mercer 
at  which  the  circumstances  by  which  she  was  sur- 
rounded, and  under  the  influence  of  which  the  graces 
of  her  character  had  been  developed,  were  to  un- 
dergo an  entire  change.  The  reality  of  her  faith 
was  to  be  tested,  and  its  strength  invigorated  by 
the  storms  of  adversity — and  this,  not  for  a  short 
period  only,  but  the  continued  pruning  of  the  hea- 
venly husbandman  was  to  render  more  perfect,  and 
increase  the  fruit,  by  which  she  gave  evidence  of 
abiding  in  the  vine. 

The  death  of  her  father,  which  took  place  at 
8*  . 

•*  * 

•  , 

Jfc, 


90  A  MEMOIR 

Philadelphia,  where  she  had  accompanied  him  with 
the  design  of  seeking  the  advice  of  Dr.  Physick, 
proved  a  crisis  in  her  life;  and  from  this  time  we 
are  to  trace  her  course  no  longer  amid  the  pleasant 
scenes  of  affectionate  intercourse  with  attached 
friends  and  relatives,  but  amid  the  bufletings  of  the 
storm  which  beat  unceasingly  around  her  later  path- 
way through  life.  But,  says  Miss  Hunter,  "  In  all 
the  most  afflictive  bereavements  which  she  suffered, 
not  a  murmur  was  ever  heard  from  her  lips,  nor 
any  of  those  complaints  of  peculiar  trial,  which  are 
often  indirect  accusations  against  the  love  or  justice 
of  our  Creator.  She  considered  it  a  duty,  not  only 
to  say  but  to  feel,  and  to  show,  also,  that  she  felt, 
that  all  events  are  disposed  by  Him  who  ordereth 
all  things  well,  and  it  was  one  of  the  most  lovely 
and  endearing  traits  of  her  character,  that  her  own 
sorrows  did  not  make  her  forgetful  of  the  feelings 
of  her  friends,  nor  prevent  her  sympathy  with  their 
joys  and  sorrows."  She  writes  at  this  time  to  Mrs. 
Garnet: 

"I  have  been  wishing  every  day,  my  beloved 
cousin,  to  write  to  you,  but  you  know  the  state  of 
languor  consequent  upon  great  excitement.  At  the 
moment  I  felt  most  forlorn,  I  requested  that  some 
one  would  write  to  you,  and  my  aunt  kindly  under- 
took the  office.  Since  that,  I  have  been  harassed 
by  travelling,  anxiety,  and  other  causes;  yet  I  ought 
to  have  written  to  you  when  I  could  have  afforded 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  91 

you  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  that  my  own  health, 
so  far  from  suffering,  has  recruited  amidst  all  my 
trials.  I  make  it  a  principle  of  duty  never  unne- 
cessarily to  rake  up  the  ashes  of  a  buried  sorrow, 
and  to  bury  every  sorrow  that  may  interrupt  the 
happiness  of  others.  The  loss  is  mine  peculiarly — • 
all  around  me  have  hopes  and  occupations  from 
which  they  derive  their  enjoyment  and  their  sup- 
port. I  am  (for  myself)  constantly  reminded  of  the 

fable  of  the  leaf: 

•\ 

'  De  la  tige  detechee 

Pauvre  feuille  dessechee, 
.  Ou  va  tu  1     Je  n'en  sais  rien — 
L'orage  a  frapp6  le  chene, 
Qui  seul  etait  mon  soutien, 
Depuis  ce  temps  je  me  promene, 
Ou  le  vent  me  mepe.' 

"But  the  wind  that  conducts  me  is  the  power  of 
the  God  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  although  tossed 
painfully  upon  the  storms,  I  know  there  is  a  pros- 
perous breeze  in  store  to  carry  me  safe  into  the 
harbour  of  eternal  rest. 

'  Je  vais  ou  va  toute  chose — 
Ou  va  la  feuille  de  rose, 
Et  la  feuille  de  laurier.' 

"And  nothing  is  vain — no  care,  no  grief,  no  long- 
protracted  misery,  or  rapid  reverse  of  fortune  are 
lost  in  the  providence  of  Him  who  maketh  the  evil 
work  for  good." 


92  A  MEMOIR 

There  could  be  neither  reason  nor  propriety  in 
the  invasion  of  the  sacred  precincts  of  private  life  to 
exhibit  before -a  larger  circle  of  observers  the  events 
.  which  produced  this  change  in  her  circumstances. 
It  is  sufficient  to  allude  to  them  merely  as  links  in 
that  chain  by  which  God  in  his  own  way,  often  high 
above  our  comprehension,  is  accomplishing  his  pur- 
pose of  mercy  to  his  creatures.  As  not  only  clouds 
and  darkness,  but  storms  and  tempests,  even  in  the 
physical  world,  produce  increased  blessing,  more 
than  sufficient  to  balance  the  evils  which  more  im- 
mediately follow  their  occurrence,  so  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  work  of  grace,  whether  in  the 
individual  soul,  or,  through  its  instrumentality,  in 
the  world  around,  everlasting  good  is  continually 
produced  as  the  direct  result  of  temporal  evil.  "He 
maketh  even  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him," 
from  seeming  evil  still  educing  good.  But  though 
we  may  not  lift  the  veil  to  gaze  upon  the  proper 
lineaments  of  the  portrait,  it  may  be  permitted  me 
to  declare,  that  had  her  faith  been  of  that  spurious 
kind  which  passes  current  with  the  world,  but  pro- 
duces little  fruit  to  God's  glory — had  not  her  dis- 
interested self-renunciation  been  of  a  character  but 
rarely  seen,  and  her  integrity  perfect  in  its  actings 
and  lofty  in  its  conceptions,  she  had  it  in  her  power 
to  have  secured  to  herself  the  means  by  which  she 
would  have  been  placed  far  above  the  necessity  of 
any  personal  exertion  or  self-denial,  without  the 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  93 


slightest  s^gfifice  of  integrity  in  the  esteem  of  the 
world.  She  not  only  had  that  faith  which  looks 
not  at  the  things  which  are  seen,  but  at  those  which 
are  unseen  and  eternal,  but  the  consciousness  also  of 
the  possession  of  faculties  which  had  been  conferred 
upon  her  for  purposes  of  blessing  to  her  fellow- 
creatures,  and  glory  to  the  -Giver;  and  renouncing 
her  well-established  rights,  and  abandoning  all  con- 
sultation with  personal  ease  and  comfort,  she  entered 
at  once  upon  a  path  beset  with  circumstances  of 
vexation  and  trial,  and  leading  over  heights  of  dif- 
ficulty, from  the  encountering  of  which,  nature 
would  certainly  have  shrunk.  It  was  known  to  but 
few  of  those  who  are  familiar  with  the  subsequent 
course  of  Miss  Mercer,  that  no  necessity  thrust  her 
down  from  a  position  of  ease  and  affluence  and 
urged  her  to  undertake  her  arduous  duties;  but  that 
it  was  the  result  of  a  lofty  impulse  of  upright  , 
honourable  principle,  such  as  is  rarely  witnessed  in 
the  world. 

There  is  no  record  of  the  struggles  of  feeling 
which  must  have  been  experienced,  beyond  occa- 
sional expressions  of  a  general  character  in  letters 
to  her  friends;  but  a  feeble  state  of  bodily  health 
afforded  sufficient  evidence  of  what  was  passing 
within,  and  might  easily  have  furnished  an  apology 
to  herself  and  others  for  seeking  her  own  ease  and 
comfort. 

Her  first  effort  was  made  by  leaving  the  home  of 


94  A  MEMOIR 

her  affections,  the  place  of  her  nativity,  and  the 
scenes  whose  loveliness  had  given  them  a  hold  on 
her  heart,  which  no  length  of  separation  ever  had 
power  to  detach  or  even  loosen, and  assume  the  duties 
of  a  teacher  of  drawing  and  painting  in  the  school 
of  her  relative  and  highly  valued  friend,  Mrs.  Gar- 
net, of  Virginia.  Having  chosen  her  path,  there 
was  no  indulgence  in  useless  murmuring  qr  repining, 
no  disposition  to  seek  her  own  comfort  or  stipulate 
for  all  the  privileges  in  her  power  to  attain.  An 
only  daughter,  an  object  of  idolatrous  affection  to  a 
fond  father  and  brother,  she  abandoned  not  only  the 
luxuries  but  the  comforts  of  her  station,  with  the 
simple  request,  that  if  it  were  convenient  in  making 
arrangements  for  her  reception,  her  chamber  might 
be  shared,  if  possible,  by  the  younger  children,  her 
habit  of  devoting  a  considerable  portion  of  the  night 
to  study,  rendering  them  less  objectionable  compa- 
nions than  those  who  were  older.  Yet,  even  in 
this,  she  is  ready  to  submit  her  own  comfort  to  the 
convenience  of  her  friends.  She  thus  describes  her 
occupations,  and  the  feelings  incident  to  her  new 
vocation,  in  a  letter  written  soon  after  entering  on 
her  duties: 

"You  cannot  imagine,  my  beloved  friend,  how 
grateful  I  felt  on  receiving  your  letter,  to  hear  from 
you,  to  know  you  were  better,  to  see  your  hand- 
writing once  more.  It  cheered  me  in  my  toils.  I 
have  not  been  separated  from  you  in  feeling  for  one 


Or  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  95 

single  hour,  and  I  have  been  desiring  a  day  or  two 
of  repose  that  I  might  devote  to  you  and  your 
dearest  mother.  But,  indeed,  you  have  very  little 
idea  of  the  life  I  lead.  Saturday  is  as  laboriously 
spent  in  working  for  the  Liberian  Society,  as  any 
other  day  in  the  week,  and  on  Sunday  we  have  a 
Sunday-School,  in  which  I  have  my  part,  and  so 
make  out  to  employ  every  day  fully.  Drawing 
keeps  me  on  my  feet  for  six  hours  every  other  day, 
and  at  first  it  was  truly  bewildering  to  teach  twenty- 
three  children  who  did  not  know  how  to  make  a 
straight  line.  You  are  anxious  to  know  all  about 
me,  and  you  see  I  am  free  in  my  communication: 
there  are  many  encouraging  circumstances  in  the 
mode  of  life  I  have  adopted,  for  those  very  things 
that  are  most  painful  prove  how  much  there  is  to 
do;  and  where  there  is  much  to  do,  steady  labori- 
ous efforts  to  do  good  will  doubtless  be  blessed,  al- 
though we  may  in  mercy  be  denied  the  luxury  of 
seeing  our  work  under  the  sun  prosper.  Mrs.  G. 
is  sometimes  very  much  dispirited,  at  times  without 
cause,  for  every  little  painful  occurrence  of  miscon- 
duct in  the  children  affords  opportunity  of  more 
strenuously  enforcing  good  principles.  I  never 
knew  how  to  be  thankful  to  my  parents,  above  all 
to  my  God,  for  a  good  education,  until  I  came  to 
look  into  the  state  of  young  ladies  generally." 

And  again,  writing  to  the  same  loved  friend,  who 
had  partaken  with  her  of  the  joys  she  realized  in 


96  A  MEMOIR 

the  residence  of  her  childhood  and  youth,  she  says, 
"  I  wish  I  could  give  you  any  idea  of  the  devotion 
of  my  heart  to  home.  In  the  idea  of  home  are  con- 
nected all  associations  of  early  life,  and  all  that  re- 
mains of  what  I  first  learned  to  love.  Your  beloved 
mother  is  among  the  very  dearest  of  all  its  objects. 
Daily  I  find  my  heart  giving  utterance  to  its  emo- 
tions in  the  words  of  the  favourite  poet  of  my  child- 
hood: 

'  My  heart  nntravelled  fondly  turns  to  thee, 
Still  to  my  home  returns  with  ceaseless  pain, 
And  drags  at  each  remove  a  lengthening  chain.' 

My  prayers,  my  dear  friend,  you  always  have;  may 
it  please  God  to  manifest  his  power  in  restoring 
you  to  that  healthfulness  of  spirit,  which  alone  can 
render  this  troubled  life  endurable,  and  may  the 
close  of  life  be  with  us  the  gentle  decline  of  the 
setting  sun:  may  we  go  down  together  in  peace  to 
the  grave  of  the  earthly  body,  and  rise  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  resurrection  joyful  in  the  plentiful  atone- 
ment and  effectual  mediation  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour." 

It  is  certain  that  her  thoughts  had  often  turned 
to  the  importance  of  female  education  for  years  be- 
fore she  entered  upon  it,  and  the  same  impulse 
which  led  her  toward  the  close  of  her  life  to  declare 
that  she  would  not  for  the  world  abandon  her  em- 
ployment, taught  her,  very  soon  after  she  realized 
the  responsibility  which  attaches  of  necessity  to  the 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         97 

possession  of  whatever  powers  we  may  be  endowed 
with,  to  turn  her  attention  to  this  subject,  and  in 
writing  to  Mrs.  Garnet,  of  Elmwood,  before  enter- 
ing herself  into  the  same  engagement,  she  says: 
"  Do,  my  beloved,  my  revered  cousin,  let  me  hear 
from  you.  I  would  not  exchange  the  pleasure  of 
feeling  that  the  friends  to  whom  I  am  most  devoted 
are  distinguished  for  their  active  benevolence  and 
Christian  love  of  their  fellow-creatures,  not  for  any 
thing  under  heaven.  Yesterday  was  our  premium 
day  at  the  Sunday  School,  and  fifty  children  were 
made  perfectly  happy,  as  we  managed  to  give  all 
some  little  thing  as  an  encouragement."  And  there 
is  no  doubt  that  the  project  to  which  she  referred  as 
filling  her  mind,  and  requiring  so  many  hands  to 
carry  into  execution,  entertained  before  the  occur- 
rence of  her  father's  death,  was  connected  with  fe- 
male education  in  some  manner. 

The  desire  to  be  made  instrumental  in  training 
souls  for  eternity,  was  the  ruling  motive  by  which 
she  was  influenced,  and  from  the  very  first,  her 
chief  efforts  were  devoted  to  this  great  end,  which 
was  pursued  without  deviation  throughout  her  whole 
career,  though  by  no  means  to  the  neglect  of  those 
subsidiary  acquirements  which  she  esteemed  as 
highly  as  any  one  could  do,  and  laboured  most  un- 
remittingly to  communicate  to  her  pupils. 

Her  connexion  with  Mrs.  Garnet's  school  was 
not  of  long  duration.  Close  as  was  her  attachment 
9 


98  A  MEMOIR 

to  the  friends  by  whom  it  was  conducted,  the 
promptings  of  a  desire  to  exercise  as  wide  an  influ- 
ence for  good  as  was  within  the  compass  of  her 
powers,  combined  with  the  wish  to  contribute  to 
the  comfort  of  some  members  of  her  family  espe- 
cially dear  to  her,  induced  her  to  assume  an  inde- 
pendent position,  and  she  announced  to  her  friends 
her  determination  to  convert  the  ancestral  home  at 
Cedar  Park  into  an  academy,  expecting  to  receive 
but  a  limited  number  of  pupils.  Yet  in  the  exten- 
sive circle  of  her  acquaintance,  so  entire  was  the 
confidence  in  her  powers  and  peculiar  qualifications, 
that  she  at  once  received  applications  from  more 
than  she  had  designed  taking  under  her  care,  and 
having  after  some  difficulty  secured  the  co-opera- 
tion of  suitable  assistants,  during  the  whole  time 
that  she  continued  her  residence  at  West  River,  she 
had  as  many  pupils  as  she  could  accommodate,  even 
after  the  erection  of  an  extensive  addition  to  the 
original  mansion. 

Had  her  object  in  entering  upon  the  duties  of  in- 
struction been  the  acquisition  of  a  pecuniary  reward, 
or  had  she  even  admitted  it  as  a  secondary  conside- 
ration into  her  plan,  she  had  it  in  her  power  to  at- 
tain it.  But  hers  were  loftier  motives.  It  is  true 
she  had  placed  herself  in  a  position  which  rendered 
it  incumbent  upon  her  to  strain  every  nerve  in  or- 
der to  meet  the  engagements  into  which  she  had 
voluntarily  entered;  for,  not  content  with  the  aban- 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         99 

donment  of  her  own  just  claims,  she  had  assumed 
the  responsibilities  of  another:  but  beyond  this,  it 
-may  with  safety  be  affirmed,  that  she  never  allowed 
a  sordid  feeling  to  enter  into  her  plans.  A  simple, 
holy  determination  to  devote  herself  to  the  service 
of  God,  in  training  the  generations  which  were  to 
come  after,  in  the  love  and  fear  of  their  Creator  and 
Redeemer,  was  the  spring,  from  whose  fount  the 
perennial  stream  of  her  labours  of  love  gushed  forth 
with  fertilizing  power.  Nor  was  she  content  with 
devoting  herself  \o  this  noblest  object  to  which  the 
human  mind  can  be  applied.  Among  her  friends 
was  one  of  whom  she  declared  that  she  loved  him 
with  all  the  affection  of  a  brother,  with  whose  high 
mental  and  moral  qualification  for  this  calling  she 
was  well  acquainted — the  late  Daniel  Murray,  Esq., 
— to  whom  she  thus  addressed  herself.  •  •  •  •  "Next 
and  last,  for  on  this  theme  I  should  never  have  done, 
had  I  liberty  to  say  all  that  my  heart  suggests,  I 
bless  my  Saviour  that  He  has  made  you,  my  dearly 
beloved  friends,  examples  and  pioneers  in  the  way 
of  Christian  duty.  It  is  impossible  to  express  the 
emotions  of  my  soul  when  it  pleases  God  to  make 
the  steady  light  shining  more  and  more  to  the  per- 
fect day,  irradiate  the  whole  path  through  which 
his  servant  moves.  So  far,  he  has  worked  in  you, 
my  dear  Mr.  Murray,  'to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good 
pleasure.'  May  you  never,  never,  in  thought,  or 
word,  or  deed,  swerve  for  one  instant  from  the  ap- 


100  A  MEMOIR 

pointed  course  of  your  high  calling.  This  course  is 
one  of  unwearied  diligence,  and  my  heart  and  mind 
have  been  more  and  more  bent,  for  a  long  time  now,, 
upon  your  becoming  the  benefactor  of  mankind  in 
undertaking  a  Fellenberg  school.  If  I  did  not  be- 
lieve, that  in  rejoicing  that  God  has  shown  his  own 
power  in  guiding  you,  I  am  safe  from  any  danger  of 
being  misunderstood,  I  would  not  say  what  I  do. 
You  know  and  I  know  where  praise  and  honour  be- 
long. But  I  believe  that,  like  your  namesake  of 
old,  you  are  '  a  man  much  beloved ;'  and  feeling  that 
you  have  freely  received,  I  would  urge  you,  my 
friend,  to  take  it  into  serious  consideration  whether 
the  peculiar  circumstances  under  which  you  are  at 
this  moment  placed  by  the  providence  of  the  All- 
wise  do  not  seem  to  indicate  your  appointment  to 
such  a  duty.  When  I  think  of  your  own  children, 
the  advantages  which  they  would  derive  from  such 
an  undertaking,  of  the  extent  to  which  you  would 
command  the  confidence  of  the  public,  and  the  in- 
finite increase  in  future  ages  of  that  seed  of  righte- 
ousness which  you  might  thus  widely  scatter,  and 
thus  deeply  plant  in  the  hearts  of  all  our  children, 
I  feel  as  if  I  saw  too  plainly  to  doubt,  the  hand,  that, 
releasing  you  from  all  the  cares  and  anxieties  attend- 
ing upon  a  slave-holder,*  affords  you  at  once  the 
opportunity  of  selecting  a  new  mode  of  life  and  oc- 
cupation. I  heard  the  other  day  that  General  Wal- 

*  Mr.  Murray  had  emancipated  his  negroes. 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         101 
-^t*  *1' 

ter  Jones  had  written  to  Mr.  Fellenberg  for  a 
teacher,  and  that  he  wished  a  vast  mansion  which 
he  has  erected  in  a  fine  salubrious  situation  near 
Washington,  to  be  devoted  to  that  purpose.  How 
I  should  rejoice  to  hear  that  you  had  there,  or  else- 
where, stationed  yourself  as  the  light  on  the  hill  to 
guide  and  guard  the  little  children  that  Jesus  loved 
through*  the  gross  darkness  of  this  nether  world. 
Just  at  this  time,  when  the  facilities  for  liberating 
our  slaves  are  so  rapidly  increasing,  the  juncture  has 
arrived  for  commencing  an  agricultural  education 
for  our  boys.  My  dear  Mr.  Murray,  if  you  carry 
such  a  plan  into  operation,  you  become  the  remote 
but  positive  instrument  in  releasing  generations  from 
slavery,  who  will  ever  be  kept  in  bondage  while 
labour  is  a  degradation  in  the  opinion  of  their 
masters/' 

Mr.  Murray's  reply  can  be  recovered  only  by 
inferences  from  the  following  letter  from  Miss  Mer- 
cer of  a  date  soon  after  the  last. 

"Thanking  you  for  your  kind  reply  to  my  last 
presumptuous  letter,  I  must  stop  to  rejoice  with  you 
on  occasion  of  your  present  joy.  The  omnipotent 
Father  of  mercies  has  you  all  under  his  charge,  and 
I  feel  confident  that  all  His  gifts  to  you  are  bless- 
ings. But,  my  dear  friend,  is  not  this  another  mo- 
tive to  lay  aside,  (at  the  urgent  persuasion  of  your 
friends,)  that  distrust  of  yourself,  which  deprives 
the  world  of  your  services,  and  your  children  of 

9* 


102  A  MEMOIR 

such  advantages  as  would  certainly  accrue  to  them 
from  your  coming  into  the  plans  of  those  who 
would  perhaps  never  think  their  judgments  superior 
to  yours,  but  in  a  case  in  which  you  were  to  judge 
yourself.  If  I  depended  on  my  own  opinions  solely, 
I  should  not  venture  to  suggest  any  thing  farther,  but 
admit  that  I  might  have  been  swayed  by  the  par- 
tiality of  long  and  most  respectful  friendship,  but  I 
have  heard  the  subject  discussed  by  those  who  were 
most  capable  of  forming  a  just  opinion;  and  I  am 
again  impelled  to  solicit  your  indulgence  while  I 
endeavour  to  combat  that  opinion  of  yourself,  which, 
like  many  virtues,  must  be  confined  within  the 
bounds  of  utility  to  preserve  its  character  of  virtue. 
I  suppose,  my  dear  sir,  that  we  have  no  more  right 
to  undervalue  the  advantages  which  God  has  be- 
stowed upon  ourselves,  than  those  with  which  he 
has  endowed  others  of  his  creatures.  To  take  too 
low  views  of  our  powers  of  usefulness  is  then  a  fault, 
and  loath  as  you  would  be  to  institute  comparisons 
between  yourself  and  others,  to  their  disadvantage, 
yet  there  are  instances  in  which  I  believe  it  is  a  po- 
sitive duty  imposed  upon  us  to  do  so,  and  this  I  think 
a  perfectly  legitimate  one.  Is  it  not  very  evident 
that  such  an  institution  is  the  most  urgent  want  of 
our  country?  That  the  youth  of  the  Southern 
States  demand,  especially  at  this  time,  the  institu- 
tion of  such  a  system  of  education,  as  may  prepare 
them  for  the  great  and  good  measures,  the  wisdom 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  103 

and  the  virtue  which  are  requisite  to  the  safety  and 
prosperity  of  those  states.  And  in  whom  shall  we 
find  the  man  of  hirth,  education,  refined  manners, 
honourable  sentiments,  and  above  all,  religious  prin- 
ciples, to  devote  this  combination  of  commanding 
qualities  with  zeal,  fidelity,  and  talent  to  this  noble 
purpose,  if  you  refuse  ?  I  am  ashamed  to  use  lan- 
guage to  you  which  may  appear  like  adulation,  and 
am  endeavouring  to  guard  my  pen  against  enthusi- 
asm ;  but  in  sober  earnestness,  it  is  true  that  all  the 
essential  requisites  of  which  you  have  spoken  are 
yours,  by  capacity,  if  I  may  so  express  myself." 

Not  one  sordid  idea,  not  a  suggestion  of  personal 
advantage,  appears  to  have  entered  into  her  calcula- 
tion of  the  benefits  to  accrue  from  the  occupation  of 
talent  in  this  highest,  noblest  pursuit,  to  which  hu- 
man talent  can  be  appropriated,  and  what  she  thought 
and  felt,  and  urged  upon  her  friend,  was  the  living 
principle  on  which  she  acted  herself.  She  looked 
abroad  with  the  eye  of  a  patriot  woman,  and  felt 
with  the  ardent  enthusiasm  of  one  devoted  to  the 
good  of  her  country,  and  especially  that  section  of 
it  in  which  her  own  lot  had  been  cast  by  the  over- 
ruling providence  of  the  one  Father  of  all  who  dwell 
on  the  face  of  the  whole  earth, — and  planned  and 
acted  on,  and  urged  others  to  act  upon,  the  most 
disinterested  schemes  for  the  benefit  of  her  country 
in  the  generations  yet  to  come.  Man  admires,  and 
must  admire,  while  he  haa  the  sympathies  of  man, 


104  A  MEMOIR 

the  virtue  which  sacrifices  life  and  all  that  makes 
life  dear  upon  the  altar  of  our  country,  and  patriot 
is  the  highest  grade  in  human  estimation  of  human 
worth.  Miss  Mercer  was  a  patriot  woman,  and 
lived  and  suffered  and  virtually  bled  and  died  in  the 
service  of  her  country.  Serving  it  in  a  sphere  of 
action  the  most  important,  yet  too  commonly  the 
least  esteemed.  Standing  at  the  very  fountain  of 
influence,  and  casting  in  there  the  healing  branch 
which  shall  cause  pure  waters  to  flow  over  the  wide 
domain.  It  is  to  the  mothers  of  her  sons,  that  our 
country  looks  for  the  impress  that  is  to  make  them 
her  great  and  her  good  men,  her  trusted  and  her 
honoured  servants.  To  such  women  as  Margaret 
Mercer  would  we  trust  the  forming  of  the  character 
of  those  who  are  thus  to  give  character  to  our  coun- 
try when  our  part  in  the  drama  is  performed,  and 
we  pass  for  ever  from  an  interest  in  its  actings.  May 
her  example  stir  others  up  to  the  like  consecration 
of  their  powers.  It  is  the  female  pass  of  Thermo- 
pylae. The  Salamis  of  a  woman's  ambition. 

Allusion  has  been  made  to  the  difficulty  encoun- 
tered in  procuring  suitable  teachers  to  assist  in  the 
school.  A  less  important  though  still  vexatious 
trouble  arose  from  the  necessity  for  supplying  the 
place  of  the  servants  whom  she  liberated  and  sent 
to  Africa,  and  she  was  sometimes  compelled,  in 
order  to  provide  those  necessary  to  the  proper  ma- 
nagement of  the  domestic  economy  of  her  large 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        105 

establishment,  to  purchase  such  as  were  slaves  for 
life ;  and  then  giving  them  an  equitable  compen- 
sation for  their  labour,  she  afforded  them  an  op- 
portunity to  redeem  themselves;  thus  they  were 
trained  in  habits  of  industry  and  economy  which 
qualified  them  properly  to  estimate  the  value  of  the 
liberty  they  acquired,  while  they  were  fitted  for 
the  use  and  enjoyment  of  the  boon.  But  in  this 
as  in  all  other  concerns  in  which  she  was  engaged, 
she  ever  regarded  her  own  interest  as  secondary 
to  that  of  others,  and  was  ready  to  promote  theirs 
even  at  the  sacrifice  of  her  comfort,  and  at  no  little 
personal  inconvenience. 

Among  those  thus  brought  into  her  household, 
was  a  coloured  man  named  William  Taylor,  whose 
superior  intelligence  and  lofty  bearing  attracted  the 
attention  not  only  of  Miss  Mercer,  but  of  all  who 
observed  him.  In  speaking  of  him,  one  remarks, 
"  his  eye  was  as  an  open  window,  radiant  with  the 
light  which  shone  out  from  his  soul;"  and  another, 
"I  never  could  look  at  him  and  ask  him  to  serve 
me."  Such  an  one  could  not  fail  to  attract  the  at- 
tention, and  enlist  the  feelings  of  Miss  Mercer  in 
his  behalf,  and  his  assiduous  attentions  in  nursing 
the  sick,  suggested  to  her  the  idea  of  seeking  a 
medical  education  for  him,  and  sending  him  to  mi- 
nister to  his  emigrant  countrymen  in  Liberia.  Her 
own  pecuniary  circumstances  were  such  as  forbade 
her  giving  up  to  him  the  money  she  had  expended 


106  A  MEMOIR 

on  his  redemption;  but  she  obtained  for  him  access 
to  the  office  of  Dr.  Lindsley,  one  of  the  professors 
in  the  Medical  College  in  Washington  city,  in  order 
that  he  might  there  prosecute  his  medical  studies; 
and  at  the  same  time,  by  her  recommendation  of 
him  to  her  friends,  she  secured  the  employment  of 
his  evenings  as  a  waiter  at  entertainments  during 
the  session  of  Congress,  by  which  he  was  enabled 
to  support  himself,  and  in  part  to  remunerate  her 
for  her  expense  in  his  behalf.  He  proved  worthy 
of  the  interest  she  had  manifested  in  him,  and  during 
the  period  of  his  studies,  and  his  subsequent  resi- 
dence in  Africa,  she  kept  up  a  constant  correspond- 
ence with  him.  His  letters  to  her  are  preserved, 
and  exhibit  a  vigour  of  intellect,  and  steadfastness 
of  purpose,  and  high-minded,  honourable  determina- 
tion to  pursue  his  course  in  defiance  of  serious  ob- 
stacles, and  great  temptation,  which  exalt  his  cha- 
racter to  a  high  rank.  Miss  Mercer's  letters  to 
him  are  unhappily  lost,  but  it  is  evident  from  his  re- 
plies that  she  entered  into  his  feelings  with  sym- 
pathy, and  afforded  him  counsel  as  to  his  course;  her 
efforts  were  especially  directed  to  the  attempt  to 
bring  him  under  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
that  he  might  minister  to  the  souls  of  his  fellows 
while  exerting  himself  for  the  relief  of  their  bodily 
diseases.  He  was  three  years  devoted  to  study  with 
Dr.  Lindsley,  during  which  he  says,  "  Dr.  Lindsley 
pays  me  as  much  attention  as  he  would  any  other 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  107 

student;  he  teaches  me  Latin  for  nothing,  gives  me 
a  recitation  daily;  and  makes  me  perform  all  the 
ordinary  operations,  and  takes  me  with  him  to  see 
any  important  operations."  And  at  another  time: 
"  Dr.  L.  constantly  advises  me,  as  you  have  done  in 
your  last  letter,  to  lose  no  time,  but  devote  it  all  to 
storing  my  mind  with  every  kind  of  knowledge 
useful  and  improving.  He  has  quite  a  good  library, 
to  which  I  have  access  at  all  times;"  and  just  before 
sailing,  he  writes:  "  I  feel,  Miss  Margaret,  (not  boast- 
ing,) that  I  shall  be  of  some  service  in  that  Colony. 
1  hope  that  I  shall;  I  know,  at  all  events,  if  I  try  to 
do  good  to  my  fellow-creatures,  with  a  pure  motive, 
that  God  will  aid  me,  and  thus  assisted  I  have  no- 
thing to  fear;  and  another  thing  I  remember,  that  I 
shall  have  the  prayers  of  all  those  who  are  sincerely 
interested  in  this  matter,  to  help  me  on.  In  ac- 
quiring a  knowledge  of  the  profession  of  which  I 
have  made  choice,  I  have  had  to  labour  under  many 
and  great  difficulties,  among  the  most  prominent  of 
which  are  a  deficiency  in  knowledge  of  the  con- 
struction of  the  English  language,  inaccuracy  in 
spelling,  want  of  capacity,  and  worst  of  all,  want  of 
application.  So  frequently  I  find  myself  reading 
that  that  does  not  profit,  such  as  newspaper  stuff,  to 
the  entire  neglect  of  my  proper  study,  that  I  am 
compelled  to  pass  judgment  on  myself,  and  thus 
charge  myself  with  the  want  of  proper  application. 
Though  I  have  studied  hard,  I  might  have  studied 


108  A  MEMOIR 

harder;  and  I  believe  few  students  have  read  as  many 
books  in  the  same  time.  I  have  studied,  (not  read,) 
all  the  most  important  works  the  Doctor  has.  I 
have  felt  frequently  the  force  of  your  advice  in  a 
former  letter,  to  read  every  good  book  I  could  get. 
I  have  done  so  in  a  good  degree,  and  one  book  I  am 
now  studying,  which  I  am  sure  you  are  not  ignorant 
of,  is  Mason  on  Self-knowledge." 

Every  effort  was  made  to  deter  him  from  the  ful- 
filment of  his  purpose.  The  most  fearful  pictures 
of  the  mortality  among  the  emigrants  were  spread 
before  him.  To  this'he  replied:  "I  shall  persevere 
— what  warrant  have  I,  if  I  draw  back,  that  I  shall 
live  as  long  here  ?  God  made  the  climate  what  it  is." 
Some  young  men  of  colour,  who  were  his  compa- 
nions in  study,  withdrew;  and  their  success  in 
other  pursuits  was  represented  to  him  as  an  induce- 
ment to  follow  their  example,  and  letters  to  himself 
from  disappointed  colonists  added  to  the  force  of  the 
appeal.  He  met  it  all  with,  "  I  am,  however,  im- 
movable. My  purpose  is  fixed— I  have  the  welfare 
of  my  fellow-men  at  heart,  and  at  all  hazards  I  will 
make  the  experiment.  Under  the  smiles  of  our 
heavenly  Benefactor,  I  shall  not  despair.  The  cause 
is  good,  my  motive  pure;  with  the  approbation  of 
Heaven,  I  have  nothing  to  fear." 

With  such  motives,  feelings,  and  qualifications, 
he  sailed  for  Liberia,  where,  after  some  three  years 
of  labour  as  a  physician  and  missionary,  he  died; 


OF  MISS  MARGAKET  MERCER.        109 

not  of  the  diseases  incident  to  the  climate,  but  of 
consumption,  induced  by  exposure  in  founding  a 
new  missionary  station  among  the  heathen  natives. 
He  does  not  appear  ever  to  have  experienced  regret 
at  the  course  he  pursued.  After  residing  some  time 
in  the  colony,  he  removed  to  an  out-station,  in  order 
to  devote  himself  to  the  evangelization  of  the  hea- 
then. The  Rev.  Mr.  Seys  prepared  an  obituary 
notice  of  him,  which  was  published  in  Africa's  Lu- 
minary, in  which  he  speaks  in  high  terms  of  Tay- 
lor's devoted  ness  and  usefulness.  His  last  expres- 
sion was  one  not  of  regret  that  he  had  devoted  him- 
self to  the  cause  of  Africa,  and  thus  abridged  his  ca- 
reer of  earthly  existence;  but  of  desire  that  he  might 
have  been  permitted  still  to  "lay  hold  upon  the 
work,"  and  help  it  forward. 

Educated  in  the  midst  of  slavery,  and  familiar 
with  it  under  circumstances  in  which  it  displayed 
its  least  exceptionable  features,  Miss  Mercer  was 
fully  convinced  of  the  evils  necessarily  inherent  in 
the  system,  and  of  the  malign  influence  it  exerts  as 
well  upon  the  master  as  the  slave.  She  had,  how- 
ever, also,  at  the  same  time,  full  opportunity  to 
observe  the  great  difficulties  with  which  the  effort 
to  get  rid  of  the  evil  is  environed,  and  was  able  to 
appreciate  the  obstacles  which  oppose  the  full  deve- 
lopment of  the  negro  character  in  a  country  in 
which  he  has  so  long  been  kept  in  a  state  of  degra- 
dation, and  where  he  is  compelled  to  contend  with 
10 


110  A  MEMOIR 

habits  and  prejudices,  not  only  inveterate  from  long 
continuance,  but  constantly  excited  into  renewed 
vigour  by  the  struggle  ever  maintained  between 
distinct  races  of  men  dwelling  on  the  same  soil. 
She  was  convinced  that  circumstances  over  which 
the  friends  of  the  negro  have  no  control,  would  keep 
him  here  in  a  state  of  thraldom  and  servitude,  even 
though  liberated  from  the  galling  chain  of  hopeless 
bondage.  Yet  none  ever  felt  more  deeply  the  evil 
of  slavery;  none  ever  more  anxiously  desired  the 
coming  of  the  time  when  the  stain  of  it  should  be 
wiped  from  the  scutcheon  of  our  country;  none  ever 
made  more  disinterested  self-sacrificing  efforts  than 
she  to  be  delivered  from  its  guilt.  It  was  with 
such  views  and  feelings  she  had  hailed  with  delight 
the  establishment  of  the  American  Colonization  So- 
ciety, an  institution  which  she  regarded  as  pecu- 
liarly adapted  to  the  relief  of  both  master  and  slave. 
Among  its  founders,  none  took  a  more  prominent 
part  than  two  of  her  most  intimate  friends,  Francis 
Scott  Key,  Esq.,  and  C.  Fenton  Mercer,  Esq., — 
with  both  of  whom  she  was  in  frequent  correspon- 
dence. It  has  become  of  late  years  the  habit  of  too 
many  of  the  abolitionists  of  our  own  country,  to 
denounce,  in  terms  of  unsufferable  harshness,  as 
enemies  of  the  negro  and  advocates  of  slavery,  all 
who  cannot  adopt  their  own  ultra  views-,  nor  engage 
in  measures  for  the  remedy  of  the  evil  of  slavery 
which  violate  the  Constitution  of  our  country,  threat- 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        Ill 

en  a  dissolution  of  the  Union,  and  are  fraught  with 
mischief  alike  to  the  master  and  the  slave.  Terms 
of  contempt  and  abuse  are  hurled,  with  indiscrimi- 
nate rancour,  at  the  south  and  slaveholders,  without 
regard  to  the  circumstances  which  distinguish  them 
from  each  other.  Those  who,  without  their  own 
volition,  find  themselves,  by  the  circumstances  of 
their  birth,  involved  in  the  toils  of  slavery,  are  in- 
cluded in  the  same  wholesale  denunciation  with  the 
most  abandoned  wretches  who  disgrace  the  name 
of  man;  and  the  opponent  of  slavery,  who  is  so  un- 
happy as  to  have  his  lot  cast  in  the  midst  of  it,  is 
compelled,  by  a  sense  of  justice  to  his  neighbour, 
and  abhorrence  of  the  wrong  done  by  these  indis- 
criminate denunciations,  to  assume  a  position  adverse 
to  his  wishes,  and  subject  himself  to  the  imputation 
of  friendly  feeling  toward  a  system  he  abhors,  and 
would  fain  see  overthrown.  Nor  is  this  injustice 
confined  to  our  own  country.  The  same  sentiment 
is  re-echoed  from  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic, 
with  a  sound  scarce  diminished  by  the  distance, 
though  softened  to  our  ears  by  the  conviction  that 
it  is  there  uttered  in  ignorance  of  the  character  of 
those  thus  assailed,  and  of  the  circumstances  in 
which  they  find  themselves.  By  these  mistaken 
friends  of  the  negro,  all  who  cannot  sanction  mea- 
sures of  the  most  radical  kind,  are  branded  as  advo- 
cates of  slavery,  and  accused  of  hypocrisy  in  the 
expression  of  feelings  they  do  not  possess,  while 


112  A  MEMOIR 

their  real  desire  is  said  to  be  to  remove  from  our 
country  the  free  negro,  in  order  to  rivet  more  closely 
the  bonds  of  the  slave. 

Bishop  White,  the  advocate  of  slavery,  and  the 
hypocritical  pretender  to  friendship  for  the  negro, 
that  he  might  the  more  firmly  rivet  upon  him  the 
galling  chain  of  hopeless  bondage!  Bishop  Meade, 
a  participator  in  so  nefarious  a  plot,  though  the 
emancipator  of  his  servants!  The  very  charge  is 
so  extreme,  as  to  carry  with  it  its  own  refutation  to 
all  who  ever  knew  them;  and  yet  Bishops  White 
and  Meade  were  the  constant,  ardent  friends  of  Af- 
rican colonization,  and  that  not  only  from  the  ex- 
pectation of  prospective  benefit  to  Africa,  but  from 
an  honest  conviction  of  its  benign  influence  upon 
her  children  here,  in  the  land  of  their  bondage  and 
degradation. 

But  if  there  was  no  other  evidence  of  the  utter 
falsehood  of  the  charge  alleged  against  the  friends 
of  colonization,  Margaret  Mercer  was  during  her 
life,  and  will  be  so  long  as  her  memory  shall  endure, 
a  shining  testimony  of  the  fact  that  the  society  was 
countenanced  in  its  origin  and  supported  to  the  pre- 
sent hour  by  persons  who  were  ready  at  any  cost, — 
nay  more,  at  any  sacrifice  of  their  own  comfort, — to 
promote  the  good  of  those  in  whom  they  recognised 
the  traits  of  common  brotherhood,  though  "guilty 
of  a  skin  not  coloured  like  their  own ;"  and  the 
combined  ranks  of  modern  abolitionism,  at  home 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        113 

and  abroad,  may  with  safety  be  challenged  to  pro- 
duce a  nobler  spirit  than  that  which  burned  within 
her  bosom,  and  urged  her  on  to  untiring  labours 
for  the  benefit  of  the  slave.  Its  first  act,  was  the 
emancipation  of  the  slaves  who  came  into  her  pos- 
session by  the  law  of  inheritance,  and  that  under 
circumstances  which  compel  us  to  class  this  act, 
without  any  figure  of  speech,  with  that  of  the  widow 
so  commended  of  our  Lord:  "She  gave  all  she  had, 
even  all  her  living."  Nor  was  this  one  fitful,  spas- 
modic effort  of  impulse.  We  shall  exhibit  her  own 
testimony  to  the  solid  principle  on  which  it  was 
founded, — a  principle  which  knew  no  change,  and 
which  operated  with  undiminished  power  to  the 
last.  Only  a  few  years  before  her  death,  a  poor 
creature,  who  had  been  sold  by  his  master  to  a 
southern  trader,  was  dragged  from  his  home,  (and 
who  will  deny  that  home  has  its  charms  of  asso- 
ciation in  even  the  uncultivated  bosom  of  the  de- 
graded slave?)  and  passing  in  the  stage  by  Belmont, 
exclaimed,  "Ah!  if  Miss  Mercer  knew  what  I  suf- 
fer, she  would  help  me!"  begging  the  driver  to  stop, 
and  permit  him  to  present  an  appeal  to  her  charity, 
the  reputation  of  which  had  reached  him.  This 
was  denied  him.  But  even  the  rugged  spirit  of  the 
driver  was  moved,  and  on  his  return  he  mentioned 
the  circumstance,  so  that  it  reached  Miss  Mercer's 
ear.  She  lost  no  time,  but  though  without  money 
herself,  she  at  once  borrowed  three  hundred  dollars, 
10* 


114  A  MEMOIR 

the  sum  necessary  for  his  redemption,  and  hastened 
with  it  in  person  to  the  place  to  which  he  had  been 
conveyed.  It  was,  however,  too  late  to  effect  her 
purpose,  as  he  had  already  been  transported  beyond 
the  reach  of  her  charitable  effort.  Was  this  the 
action  of  one  wishing  "  to  remove  the  free  negro 
from  our  own  soil,  only  that  the  chain  might  be 
riveted  the  more  firmly  on  those  who  remained  ?" 
One  such  action  does  more  to  soften  the  heart  of 
the  slaveholder,  and  open*his  eyes  to  the  evil  of 
slavery,  and  relax  the  thraldom  of  the  slave,  than 
all  the  angry  denunciations  and  paper  crusades  of 
those  who,  without  personal  sacrifice,  sit  in  selfish 
security  by  their  own  hearths,  and  fan  into  fury  a 
flame  which,  once  kindled,  shall  overleap  all  bounds, 
and  whelm  in  common  destruction  the  master  and 
the  slave.  Miss  Mercer's  determination  to  trans- 
port to  Liberia  all  her  slaves  who  could  be  induced 
to  go  there  voluntarily,  originated  in  an  honest, 
deeply-rooted  opinion  that  their  happiness  would  be 
promoted  by  the  change,  founded  on  the  observation 
of  instances,  in  which  some,  emancipated  without 
that  preparatory  training  necessary  to  qualify  them 
to  provide  for  themselves,  fell  into  evil  habits,  which 
involved  them  in  ruin.  Such  as  refused  to  emigrate 
were  emancipated  here,  and  over  those  who  went 
to  Africa,  she  ever  watched  with  the  most  anxious 
interest;  and  years  after,  she  mentions  the  delight 
occasioned  by  the  return  of  one,  since  "  from  him 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        115 

she  could  learn  the  condition  of  the  rest."  Their 
own  feeling  of  gratitude  to  her  is  beautifully  exhi- 
bited by  the  fact,  related  by  an  eye-witness,  that 
upon  hearing  a  (false)  report  of  her  death,  they  all 
clothed  themselves  in  the  habiliments  of  grief. 

Thus  Mrs.  Minor,  who  resided  some  years  in 
Africa,  relates: — "  Upon  my  first  arrival  at  Cape 
Palmas,  there  were  many  coloured  people  there 
who  had  been  liberated  by  their  kind  mistress  from 
the  cruel  shackles  of  slavery.  They  flocked  to  the 
mission  house  at  Mount  Vaughan,  fresh  in  their 
sable  weeds,  and  anxiously  begging  that  I  would 
give  them  some  further  information  of  *  Miss  Mar- 
garet.' When  they  spoke  of  her  death,  I  told  them 
she  was  still  living  when  I  left  America,  and  ad- 
vised them  to  lay  aside  their  mourning,  (such  as 
could  be  procured  in  the  colony,  black  strings  and 
crape  bands.)  This  was  indeed  joyful  news  to 
them:  one  said, '  Write,  madam,  then,  and  ask  her 
to  send  me  just  the  side  of  her  face  in  a  picture;' 
and  then  followed  such  protestations  of  attachment 
for  their  dear  'Miss  Margaret/  as  would  be  too 
tedious  to  write.  Upon  my  return,  in  the  fall  of 
1844,  I  mentioned  the  above  circumstance  to  Miss 
Mercer.  She  manifested  much  sensibility  on  the 
subject  at  first,  and  was  deeply  affected  at  this  ex- 
hibition of  feeling  on  the  part  of  her  too  often  de- 
spised friends ;  but  soon  recovering  her  elasticity 
of  spirits,  she  talked  freely  on  that  subject  ever 


116  A  MEMOIR 

nearest  her  heart,  and  which  I  have  heard  her  again 
and  again  say  was  to  her  mind  the  greatest  cause  on 
earth, — colonization  of  the  free  blacks.  She  was 
then  the  most  interesting  female  I  had  ever  seen  ; 
her  countenance,  manners,  and  conversation  por- 
trayed the  beauty  of  her  ever-active  mind ;  and  I 
left  her  saying  to  myself,  *  This  is  Christianity.' ' 

Mr.  Gurley,  who  was  Secretary  of  the  Coloniza- 
tion Society  at  the  time  Miss  Mercer  sent  her  eman- 
cipated servants  to  Liberia,  has  furnished  copies  of 
two  letters  written  to  him  by  her  respecting  them. 
Would  that  they  could  be  published  in  their  inte- 
grity! This  would  involve  an  unwarrantable  ex- 
posure of  subjects  of  a  nature  too  personal  for  the 
public  eye ;  but  two  short  extracts  may  be  given 
as  illustrative  of  the  spirit  by  which  she  was  actu- 
ated: 

"I  hope  for  the  blessing  of  God  on  our  united  ef- 
forts to  do  good,  and  I  trust  much  to  the  efficacy  of 
prayers  offered  by  the  faithful  for  the  success  of  our 
endeavours." 

This  emancipation  of  her  slaves  was  one  of  a  chain 
of  acts  inseparably  linked  together,  by  which  she 
reduced  herself  from  affluence  to  absolute  depen- 
dence on  her  own  exertions  for  maintenance,  and 
that  not  ignorantly  and  gradually,  but  instantly  and 
with  full  knowledge  of  the  inevitable  result.  She 
therefore  apologizes  to  Mr.  Gurley  for  doing  so  lit- 
tle for  them,  and  remarks:  "Should  any  think  I 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERGER.  117 

have  not  done  my  part  by  these  poor  creatures,  I 
can  but  bear  the  blame  silently.  A  formal  remon- 
strance against  my  making  such  a  disposition  of  my 

property  has  been  addressed  to  me  by and 

.     Had  it  been  any  thing  but  human  flesh 

and  blood,  souls  belonging  to  the  God  that  made 
them,  I  should  have  yielded.  But  I  have  deter- 
mined to  abide  the  consequences."  These  conse- 
quences were  anxiety,  toil,  and  poverty,  endured 
without  a  murmur  or  regret,  during  twenty-five 
years  of  life  enfeebled  by  constant  disease.  These 
sacrifices  for  Africa,  and  her  efforts  in  behalf  of  the 
negro  race,  were  alone  sufficient  to  place  her  name 
high  on  the  roll  of  female  philanthropists.  Allusion 
has  already  been  made  to  the  peculiar  beauty  of  the 
products  of  her  pencil  and  needle.  These  were 
ever  ready  in  the  service  of  the  cause ;  and  when 
the  care  of  young  ladies  placed  her  in  a  position  of 
influence  over  them,  she  incited  and  encouraged 
them  to  emulate  her  efforts.  Soon  after  the  open- 
ing of  her  school,  she  established  a  society  among 
her  pupils  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  education 
among  the  colonists,  membership  in  which  was  to 
be  constituted  by  the  contribution  of  work  of  not 
less  value  than  ten  dollars  per  annum,  which  was  to 
be  disposed  of  at  annual  fairs  to  be  held  at  the  school. 
The  proceeds  of  these  sales,  which  were  continued 
for  several  years,  constituted  a  fund  respecting  the 
employment  of  which  she  had  much  anxiety,  and 


118  A  MEMOIR 

consulted  with  several  eminent  advocates  of  colo- 
nization. At  one  time  she  procured,  through  a  friend 
in  Baltimore,  a  correspondence  with  a  gentleman  of 
well-known  benevolence,  John  Ross,  Esq.,  of  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  what  ad- 
vantages would  accrue  from  sending  some  intelligent 
coloured  boys  to  that  country  to  be  educated,  with 
a  design  of  sending  them  afterwards  to  Liberia  as 
teachers  or  physieians.  Mr.  Ross  entered  into  the 
scheme  with  much  energy,  and  secured  the  co-ope- 
ration of  a  gentleman  who  was  well  qualified,  and 
willing  to  receive  the  beneficiaries  into  his  family, 
and  superintend  their  education.  Miss  Mercer  ac- 
cordingly addressed  a  circular  to  each  of  the  young 
ladies  who  had  participated  in  the  benefit  of  her  in- 
structions from  the  first  opening  of  her  school,  in- 
forming them  that  the  sum  necessary  to  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  purpose  was  not  less  than  eight  or 
nine  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  and  then  pro- 
ceeds: 

"To  raise  the  sum  specified  among  you,  would 
require  only  such  an  individual  contribution  as  the 
smallest  child  might  annually  obtain  by  her  needle. 

"Remembering,  therefore,  how  assiduously  and 
affectionately  I  have  laboured  among  you  all  to  instil 
a  deep  sense  of  your  responsibility  to  the  common 
Parent  of  us  all,  for  the  faithful  performance  of  the 
duty  enjoined  upon  us  to  give  the  gospel  to  the 
heathen,  and  to  do  good  to  all  men  as  we  .have  the 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        119 

opportunity,  I  do  beseech  that  you  will  not  refuse 
to  unite  with  me  in  this  good  work  and  labour  of 
love.  In  doing  so  you  will  most  acceptably  evince 
your  attachment  to,  and  impart  the  highest  gratifi- 
cation you  can  confer  upon  your  truly  and  tenderly 
attached  friend  and  preceptress, 

"MARGARET  MERCER." 

The  plan  of  sending  lads  to  Scotland  for  educa- 
tion was  abandoned,  but  not  her  interest  in  the  object. 
Indeed,  she  might  well  be  adduced  as  an  illustrious 
example  of  that  perseverance  in  well  doing,  which 
lias  ever  been  recognised,  as  well  by  the  heathen 
moralist  as  the  inspired  apostle,  as  an  essential  in- 
gredient in  the  character  of  virtue.  Having  exa- 
mined carefully  her  ground,  and  entered  on  it  from 
motives  of  principle,  she  adhered  to  it  to  the  end. 
Even  the  fraud  of  those  in  whom  she  confided,  and 
who  professed  to  aim  at  the  same  object,  did  not 
deter  her,  nor  abate  her  determined  zeal  in  the  cause. 
She  watched  over  the  growth  of  the  fund  which  ac- 
crued from  the  sales  with  great  care,  but  found  no 
mode  for  employing  it  to  advantage,  until  she  ob- 
served a  notice  in  a  New  York  paper  of  the  organi- 
zation of  a  Young  Men's  Colonization  Society  in 
that  city;  that  it  had  resolved  to  establish  a  high 
school  in  Liberia,  and  that  the  proposal  had  met 
with  much  favour;  no  less  than  fifteen  thousand  dol- 
lars having  been  promptly  subscribed  for  this  pur- 


120  A  MEMOIR 

pose.  She  at  once  put  herself  in  correspondence 
with  the  accredited  agent  of  this  body,  rejoicing  in 
the  prospect  of  the  accomplishment  of  a  hope  so  dear 
and  so  long  entertained.  She  soon  after  had  a  let- 
ter from  the  same  person,  dated  at  Washington,  in- 
forming her  that  he  was  at  that  place  on  business 
connected  with  the  enterprise;  that  a  vessel  was 
chartered  and  about  to  sail  having  on  board  the 
frame  of  the  building  for  a  college;  that  all  things 
were  in  favourable  progress,  and  asking  for  the 
transfer  of  the  money  in  her  hands.  Unhappily  this 
request  was  complied  with.  The  agent  proved 
treacherous,  and  the  long-hoarded  and  anxiously- 
watched  fund  was  squandered  by  a  worthless  impos- 
tor. Few  circumstances  in  life  caused  her  more 
grief  and  indignation.  She  resorted  to  every  means 
in  her  power  to  recover  the  money,  and  always  ex- 
pressed her  conviction  that  as  she  had  confided  not 
in  the  individual,  but  in  the  authorized  agent  of  a 
responsible  society.,  that  society  was  accountable  for 
the  debt,  and  writing  to  a  friend  whom  she  employ- 
ed still  to  prosecute  this  purpose  for  her,  after  the 
lapse  of  some  years,  she  says:  In  an  unhappy  hour 
I  signed  away  to  the  agent  of  the  young  gentlemen 
of  New  York  the  produce  of  years  of  self-denial, 
and  industry,  and  active  charity,  and  from  that  day 
to  this  I  have  never  been  abje  to  learn  that  even  a 
single  individual  of  this  society  regarded  this  act  of 
fraud  committed  in  their  name,  and  by  their  autho- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        131 

rized  agent,  upon  a  society  of  benevolent  ladies,  as 
worthy  of  the  slightest  notice.  Not  so,  however, 
with  me;  I  feel  bound  in  conscience  to  repair  the 
effects  of  my  imprudence  in  the  trust  reposed  on  me, 
and  the  very  moment  in  which  I  obtain  the  means 
of  doing  so,  I  shall  refund  the  whole  sum  from  the 
profits  of  my  labour."  Such  was  her  high  sense  ol 
moral  responsibility. 

Her  views  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  the  best 
means  for  the  promotion  of  its  abolition,  may  be  ga- 
thered from  the  following  extracts  from  her  corre- 
spondence with  Gerrit  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Peterborough, 
New  York.  Some  years  after  the  emancipation  of  her 
servants,  she  received  from  Mr.  Smith  the  present 
of  a  book,  which  became  the  occasion  of  their  inter- 
course. Mr.  Smith  was  at  that  time  a  warm  advo- 
cate and  liberal  supporter  of  the  colonization  cause, 
though  he  subsequently  changed  his  views  entirely. 

"  One  of  the  greatest  encouragements  to  hope  that 
Christians  meet  with  in  this  world,  is  the  full  mea- 
sure, heaping  over,  which  men  pay  into  their  bosom, 
for  the  least  act  of  love  to  God  or  to  their  fellow- 
creatures.  Often  I  ask  myself  what  mighty  thing 
hast  thou  done  that  praise  and  honour  have  followed 
thee?  And  truly  I  can  find  nothing  to  entitle  me 
to  such  a  gratification,  as  I  felt  a  few  days  since  in 
receiving  a  little  book  with  a  few  lines  traced  in 
pencil,  by  the  hand  of  one  whose  name  I  have  long 
held  in  high  and  grateful  association.  It  is  not,  dear 
11 


122  A  MEMOIR 

sir,  in  my  nature  to  soil  with  adulation  the  purity  of 
that  which  I  love.  May  the  '  God  who  loveth  a 
cheerful  giver'  be  himself  your  great  and  sure  re- 
ward. For  myself,  I  disclaim  the  merit  of  being 
disinterested  in  my  efforts  for  the  colonization  cause. 
Although  under  other  circumstances  I  hope  1  might 
have  done  as  you  have.  Yet  the  enemy  who  said, 
*  Doth  Job  serve  God  for  naught?'  may  surely  say 
the  same  of  me.  My  personal  advantages  in  pro- 
moting the  removal  of  slaves  from  our  unhappy 
country  is  too  immediate  not  to  detract  most  evi- 
dently from  my  motives.  Perhaps  this  is  my  re- 
ward; for  considering  as  I  do  the  Colonization  So- 
ciety as  the  only  possible  means  of  reconciling  the 
South  to  the  subject  of  emancipation,  and  knowing 
by  experience  how  much  the  subject  is  growing  in 
the  affections  of  at  least  Maryland  and  Virginia,  I 
should  perhaps  be  too  highly  exalted  by  the  honour 
of  being  named  among  the  promoters  of  the  most 
blessed  of  Christian  institutions,  could  I  for  one  mo- 
ment lose  sight  of  the  self-interest  which  suggests 
continually  the  great  weight  of  responsibility  which 
rests  upon  the  conscience  of  the  slave-holder,  and 
the  awful  retribution  which  we  suffer  in  the  corrup- 
tion of  children  brought  up  among  slaves.  Indeed, 
my  dear  sir,  I  consider  the  evil  of  slavery  as  falling 
quite  as  much  upon  slave-holders  as  the  slaves,  and 
I  really  wish  some  of  the  incendiary  abolitionists  of 
the  North  were  invested  with  all  the  rights,  privi- 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        123 

leges,  and  duties  of  a  large  landed  estate  for  twelve 
months.  If  at  the  expiration  of  the  term  they  did 
not  confess  their  Southern  neighbours  were  much 
more  forgiving  and  patient  with  slaves  than  they 
themselves  could  be,  the  experiment  would  be  dif- 
ferent from  any  similar  one  which  I  have  seen 
tried." 

The  correspondence  thus  commenced  was  kept 
up  during  several  years,  and  the  letters  which  passed 
between  them  are  marked  by  kindly  expressions  of 
common  interest  in  a  cause  esteemed  of  the  highest 
importance  by  both,  and  give  evidence  of  mutual 
esteem  and  respect. 

Mr.  Smith,  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  that 
from  which  we  have  just  made  an  extract,  says: 
"The  Colonization  Society  is  by  its  constitution 
debarred  from  making  direct  attacks  on  slavery,  and 
that  such  attacks  should  be  made  on  a  system,  so 
full  of  evil,  I  have  no  doubt.  But  these  attacks 
should  be  made  in  a  spirit  of  intelligence  and  kind- 
ness, and  Christian  forbearance.  The  Anti-slavery 
Society  will  be  doing  a  great  amount  of  unmixed 
good,  when  it  shall  confine  itself  to  the  work  of  ad- 
dressing temperate  and  judicious  publications  to  the 
consciences  of  all  men  on  the  subject  of  slavery. 
But  the  tendency  of  many  of  their  publications  is 
unhappily  to  irritate  the  slave-holder,  and  to  render 
him  more  and  more  inaccessible  to  good  influence. 
My  great  hope  that  our  Society,  (the  American 


124  A  MEMOIR 

Colonization  Society,)  will  contribute  largely  to 
loosen  the  bands  of  slavery  in  this  country,  is 
founded  on  its  work  in  Africa.  The  reflex  influence 
of  great  improvement  in  Africa,  on  her  outcast  chil- 
dren here,  will  be  mighty.  Give  her  a  place  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth,  class  her  with  Great  Britain 
and  France,  and  it  will  be  as  morally  impossible  for 
us  to  hold  her  children  in  bondage,  as  it  is  now  to 
reduce  to  involuntary  servitude  a  Briton  or  a 
Frenchman."  Mr.  Smith  took  a  warm  interest  in 
Miss  Mercer's  project  for  the  education  of  young 
men  to  be  employed  as  teachers  in  Africa,  and  this 
afforded  the  theme  for  several  letters  in  which  Miss 
Mercer's  views  on  slavery  were  distinctly  stated  in 
strong  terms.  But  though  they  agreed  fully  in  its 
condemnation,  they  diverged  more  and  more  on  the 
mode  by  which  the  evil  was  to  be  remedied.  Miss 
Mercer  cleaving  to  the  Colonization  Society  as 
"God's  own  work,"  and  believing  it  to  "afford  the 
only  me^ans  of  reconciling  the  South  to  emancipa- 
tion," whilst  Mr.  Smith  gradually  withdrew  from 
the  advocacy  of  it,  and  even  assumed  a  position  of 
open  hostility.  The  one  dwelt  in  the  midst  of 
slavery,  and  saw  and  felt  for  the  painful  position  in 
which  many  who  were  involved  in  it  were  placed, 
yet  was  never  beguiled  by  her  interest  in  the  master 
to  forego  her  anxiety  for  the  good  of  the  slave. 
Whilst  the  other,  living  aloof,  and  looking  at  it 
through  media  which  distorted  the  object  at  which 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        125 

he  was  gazing,  thinking  only  of  the  one  party,  over- 
looked what  was  due  to  the  other.  Miss  Mercer 
felt  truly  the  difficulty  of  the  position  of  the  con- 
scientious master,  and  knew  well  that  there  were 
such.  Mr.  Smith  looked  only  at  the  wickedness 
perpetrated  under  the  influence  of  the  system,  and 
forgot  that  there  were  many  reluctantly  involved  in 
it,  and  others,  who  while  they  were  not  fully  awa- 
kened to  the  evil  of  it,  were  yet  as  much  shocked 
as  himself  at  atrocities  which  he  ascribed  to  the  sys- 
tem, and  for  which  all  were  held  responsible  who 
did  not  enter  into  the  violent  and  impracticable 
measures  which  were  proposed  by  Northern  aboli- 
tionists. 

In  one  of  her  letters  she  thus  expresses  herself: 
"I  do  not  know  why  we  should  be  provoked  at  the 
virulent  abuse  of  such  men  as  Garrison;  but  it  is 
not  in  human  nature  to  hear  your  good,  evil  spoken 
of,  and  not  be  indignant,  and  though  I  am  convinced 
the  violence  of  the  attacks  has  been  of  great  service 
to  our  cause  in  this  country,  yet  it  is  very  painful 
to  think  that  such  a  man  as  Wilberforce  should  have 
been  so  cruelly  prejudiced  against  us.  I  must  agree 

with as  far  as  I  know  any  thing  of  anti-slavery 

proceedings,  being  obliged  to  judge  of  the  tree  by 
its  fruits.  I  have  seen  no  effect  produced  on  any  one 
individual  slave-holder  by  their  intemperate  and 
arrogant  publications,  but  exasperation  against  those 
faults  of  slaves,  which  all  who  have  any  acquaint- 
11* 


126  A  MEMOIR 

ance  with  the  subject  know  to  exist.  I  am  afraid  to 
talk  much  upon  this  subject,  for  I  fear  I  also  may 
express  myself  too  warmly,  thinking  that  for  me 
there  would  be  an  apology  in  the  dangers  produced 
by  these  incendiaries.  For  while  the  well-disposed 
and  faithful  servants  of  kind  masters  will  suffer  and 
die  with  the  whites  in  a  general  insurrection,  the 
lawless  and  vicious  will  have  in  their  power  to  mas- 
sacre men,  women,  and  children,  in  their  sleep. 
This  is  my  apology  for  feeling  and  expressing  the 
deepest  indignation  against  the  man  who  dares  to 
throw  the  fire-brand  into  the  powder  magazine, 
while  all  are  asleep,  and  stands  himself  at  a  distance 
to  see  the  mangled  victims  of  his  barbarous  fury.  I 
pray  you,  dear  sir,  in  the  strength  of  your  benevo- 
lence, to  conceive  the  state  of  families  living  remote 
from  assistance  in  the  country.  Suppose,  as  I  have 
often  witnessed,  an  alarm  of  insurrection;  think  of 
the  mother  of  a  family  startled  from  her  sleep  by 
some  unusual  noise,  and  seized  with  the  horrid  ap- 
prehension of  the  scene  which  may  await  her  in  a 
few  minutes. — But  we  will  leave  this  exciting  topic. 
I  had  intended  to  send  you  just  a  single  sheet,  and 
have,  under  the  powerful  vibration  of  this  string, 
been  moved  to  transgress,  not  I  hope  Christian  pa- 
tience, but  prudence.  The  great  foundation  of  all 
my  belief  is  that  God  by  a  transmuting  power  turns 
all  evil  into  good ;  trusting  in  this,  I  wait  upon  Him. 
But,  really,  the  incivility  of  these  fanatics  is  worthy 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERGES.  127 

of  remark."  She  then  comments  with  strong  feel- 
ings of  disgust  upon  a  pamphlet  which  had  been 
sent  to  her  by  mail,  and  proceeds:  "Do  not  for  a 
moment  doubt  that  slavery  is  in  my  mind  a  direct 
violation  of  Christianity,  but  if  it  is  according  to 
the  holiness  of  God  to  bear  long  with  the  wicked 
and  idolatrous  world,  why  should  we  attempt  to  ef- 
fect the  good  work  in  an  hour,  any  more  than  the 
conversion  of  the  heathen  nations?  I  will  never,  so 
help  me  Heaven,  turn  away  from  the  promotion  of 
the  first  wish  of  my  soul,  the  abolition  of  slavery 
in  the  United  States,  any  more  than  I  will  turn 
away  from  the  duty  of  persuading  all  men  to  be  re- 
conciled to  God.  But  I  will  temper  my  zeal  with 
as  much  discretion  as  my  nature  possesses.  Excuse 
me,  my  much-respected  friend,  if  I  have  expressed 
myself  with  unbecoming  warmth.  You  say  you 
know  me  well;  alas,  it  is  well  for  me  you  do  not 
know  how  very  full  of  sin  are  my  very  best  ser- 
vices." It  was  some  three  years  after  this  that  Miss 
Mercer  received  through  the  post-office,  directed  to 
herself,  a  pamphlet  of  which  Mr.  Smith  was  the  au- 
thor, and  she  supposed  sent  to  her  by  himself,  on  the 
subject  of  slavery,  in  which  he  enumerated  some  of 
the  most  atrocious  acts  of  wickedness  which  could  be 
raked  from  the  annals  of  Southern  crime,  and  em- 
ployed them  in  his  argument, as  though  there  were  no 
Southern  slave-holders  who  viewed  them  with  the 
same  detestation  as  himselfj  and  as  though  similar 


128  A  MEMOIR 

crimes  were  not  perpetrated  by  persons  equally  desti- 
tute of  principle  in  states  where  slavery  is  unknown; 
overlooking  the  truth,  which  would  appear  so  plain 
that  it  must  present  itself  to  every  thoughtful  mind, 
that  these  crimes  had  their  origin  not  in  slavery,  but 
in  human  iniquity,  and  that  slavery  merely  gave 
them  the  peculiar  colour  which  resulted  from  the 
circumstances  in  which  they  were  committed.  Miss 
Mercer  felt  strongly  indignant  at  this  indiscriminate 
condemnation,  and  especially  grieved  at  what  she 
construed  into  a  personal  application  of  it  to  herself 
in  the  transmission  to  her  of  the  pamphlet.  She 
mourned  too,  with  heartfelt  grief,  over  the  sad  results 
which  she  foresaw  must  follow  such  a  course,  in  ex- 
citing the  evil  passions  of  the  master,  and  thus  ren- 
dering more  galling  and  hopeless  the  bondage  of  the 
slave.  She  therefore  wrote  to  Mr.  S.  in  strong 
terms  of  condemnation,  and  adds: 

"  This  very  morning  1  have  prayed  that  your 
dogmatical,  opinionated,  persecuting  spirit  might  be 
changed  for  one  more  calculated  to  do  good.  We 
have  exchanged  expressions  of  friendship  and  sym- 
pathy which  I  shall  never  forget,  and  in  remem- 
brance I  must  beg  you  to  forbear  extending  to  me 
in  their  circulation  things  which  to  my  mind  are 
equally  wrong  and  injurious.  May  God  bless  you, 
dear  sir,  and  direct  you  into  a  way  more  calculated 
to  effect  His  will  upon  earth,  which  is  always  peace 
and  good  will  among  men.  Sincerely  and  respect- 
fully, your  friend." 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  129 

A  reply,  equally  temperate  and  respectful,  was 
returned  by  Mr.  Smith,  who  says:  "I  do  not  greatly 
wonder  at  the  spirit  of  the  letter  I  received  from 
you.  Indeed,  it  is  not  a  little  creditable  to  you, 
that,  considering  the  circumstances,  it  is  tempered 
with  so  much  moderation  and  kindness.  I  gather 
from  your  language,  that  it  is  a  copy  of  my  letter 
to  Dr.  Smylie  that  you  have  been  reading.  I  do 
not  know  whence  you  received  it.  In  it  I  have 
endeavoured  to  show  that  American  slavery  is  sin. 
It  is  not  surprising  that  such  an  attempt  should  be 
offensive  to  one  who  resides  in  a  slave  State,  and 
whose  dearest  friends  are  probably,  most  of  them, 
slave-holders.  I  am  happy  that  your  temper  has 
been  no  more  ruffled  by  this  attempt.  I  never  had 
cause  to  respect  you  more  highly  and  to  love  you 
more  sincerely  than  I  now  have.  That,  under  cir- 
cumstances so  calculated  to  lead  you  to  dislike  me, 
your  letter  should  still  manifest  your  respect  and 
kindness  and  Christian  love  for  me,  is  what  I  expect 
from  Margaret  Mercer,  but  not  from  a  large  portion 
of  those  who  are  unhappily  connected  either  per- 
sonally or  through  their  families,  with  slavery.  I 
hope,  if  ever  you  come  to  the  North,  you  will  visit 
Gerrit  Smith,  and  allow  him  the  gratification  of  a 
kind  and  frank  conversation  with  you  on  the  subject 
of  American  slavery.  If  my  letter  is  unhappily 
characterized,  as  you  think  it  is,  by  a  dogmatical, 
opinionated,  persecuting  spirit,  I  feel  very  confident 


130  A  MEMOIR 

you  will  find  this  spirit  does  not  prevail,  and  is  not 
habitual  in  me. 

"I  thank  you  that  you  remember  me  in  your 
prayers.  I  need  your  remembrance  before  the 
mercy  seat,  for  I  am  a  guilty  sinner.  Especially 
pray  for  me  that  I  may  have  a  hundred  fold  more 
sympathy  for  the  Saviour's  enslaved  poor,  and  for 
those  who  oppress  them.  One  of  the  great  sins  of 
my  life  is  the  smallness  of  the  compassion  I  have 
felt  for  the  slave  and  the  slave-holder.  And  now, 
my  dear  friend,  allow  me,  in  all  kindness  and  love, 
to  beg  you  to  pray  to  God  to  enlighten  your  own 
mind  in  respect  to  the  nature  of  American  slavery. 
Do  ask  Him  to  teach  you  whether  a  system  which 
turns  man — immortal,  godlike  man — into  a  thing, 
a  marketable  commodity — which  forbids  him  the 
reading  of  the  Bible,  and  the  sacred  rights  of  the 
marriage  institution,  is  sinful  or  not.  If  He  teach 
you  that  it  is  sinful,  then  you  and  I  are  agreed. 
Be  assured  that  so  soon  as  you  are  convinced  that 
the  system  of  American  slavery  is  contrary  to  God's 
word,  no  important  differences  between  us  on  the 
subject  of  slavery  will  remain.  You  will  then  read 
my  work  and  say  amen  to  every  page  of  it.  Rely 
on  it,  here  is  the  source,  the  starting-point  of  our 
differences  on  this  subject.  You  have  vague  and 
unsettled  notions  of  the  moral  character  of  American 
slavery — now  half-condemning  it — now  excusing  it. 
I,  on  the  contrary,  am  thoroughly  convinced  that 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  131 

slavery  is  sin — nay,  more,  is  heinous  wickedness — 
nay,  more,  is  the  most  wicked  system  that  the  ava- 
rice, and  lust,  and  tyranny  of  the  human  heart  ever 
devised.  With  admiration  and  love  for  one  who 
has  given  so  many  proofs  of  possessing  a  noble  phi- 
lanthropy, and  with  a  strong  hope  that  she  will  yet 
plead  the  cause  of  the  slave,  because  he  is  wickedly, 
most  wickedly,  wronged,  trodden  down,  and  de- 
spised, I  remain  your  friend." 

To  this  letter,  impressed,  doubtless,  with  the  evi- 
dences of  Christian  meekness,  and  exonerating  him- 
self from  the  charge  of  having  given  occasion  to 
her  personal  feeling  by  sending  the  pamphlet  to  her, 
Miss  Mercer  thus  responds: 

DEAR  SIR, — 

After  having,  as  a  vindication  of  the  modesty  of 
my  character,  assured  you  that  your  pamphlet  came 
to  my  address  here  as  if  sent  by  you  from  New 
York,  I  would,  as  wisely  guided  by  Him  who  was 
silent,  and  opened  not  his  mouth,  refrain  from  re- 
plying, when  a  reply  would  be  only  a  vain  repeti- 
tion. There  is  only  over-evidence  of  that  excessive 
zeal  of  which  abolitionists  are  accused  in  your 
letter,  which  duty  to  myself  requires  me  to  answer. 
You  speak  of  my  not  being  opposed  to  slavery,  or 
thinking  it  no  sin.  Sir,  from  the  bottom  of  my 
heart,  I  believe  at  this  moment  I  am  more  opposed 
to  slavery  than  you  are! !  !  I  believe  that  I  would 


132  A  MEMOIR 

do  more,  if  personal  sacrifice  would  avail,  to  put 
an  end  to  African  slavery.  But  neither  you  nor  I 
are  God,  that  we  should  be  able  to  root  out  the 
tares  and  leave  the  wheat  growing;  and  I  am,  and 
always  shall  be  of  the  opinion  that  you  want  that 
humility  which  trusts  to  the  mild,  prevailing  effect 
of  Christian  doctrine  to  work  a  gradual  change, 
and  because  the  work  does  not  go  on  to  please  you, 
Jehu-like,  you  would  seize  the  reins,  and  drive  the 
chariot  of  the  sun  out  of  heaven.  If  slavery  is  sin, 
it  is  not  the  sin  you  make  it.  You  might  as  justly 
and  wisely  call  it  burglary,  or  bigamy,  or  any  thing 
else ;  and  such  injudicious  epithets  of  contemptuous 
obloquy  injure  the  cause  in  which  they  are  used.  A 
parent  dies  and  leaves  an  infant  his  slaves.  The 
law  takes  possession  of  the  heir  and  the  inheritance, 
and  the  child  is  supported  and  educated  from  the 
hire  of  those  slaves,  and  finally  the  law,  when  he 
comes  of  age,  formally  invests  him  with  possession 
of  his  inheritance,  and  you  call  him  a  thief »  Why, 
what  strange  definitions  must  be  contained  in  your 
dictionary!  Or,  take  a  stronger  case,  and  by  far 
the  most  common  case  in  our  unhappy  country. 
A  son  is  left  the  inheritance  of  slaves  and  debts, 
and  the  law  compels  him  to  pay  the  debts,  before 
he  can  liberate  the  slaves.  He  may  sell  them,  it  is 
true,  and  enrich  himself;  but  he  is  perhaps  as  hu- 
mane as  Gerrit  Smith,  and  he  loves — ay  he  loves 
his  servants,  and  he  struggles  through  a  life  of  hard- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MBRCER.         133  ' 

ships  to  prevent  their  being  sold:  nevertheless,  he 
is  branded  as  a  thief.  This  last  case,  sir,  was  that 
of  a  near  neighbour  and  friend  of  mine.  Dear  sir, 
you  are  strengthening  the  hands  of  oppression, — 
you  are  filling  a  nation  with  rancour  and  deadly 
enmities, — you  are  pouring  out  phials  of  wrath  upon 
the  miserable  objects  of  your  care, — and  you  will 
be  answerable  to  God  for  all  that  you  might  have 
done  by  a  different  course,  since  a  course  of  violent 
contention  is  neither  justified  by  the  word,  nor  the 
example  of  our  Master.  I  am,  and  have  been  since 
my  childhood,  entirely,  and  at  all  times  opposed  to 
slavery.  But  I  am  more  so  to  your  mode  of  get- 
ting rid  of  the  evil.  Rather  might  the  tares  grow 
till  the  day  of  judgment  than  I  unite  to  extirpate 
them  with  ungodly  violence.  You  are  still  Gerrit 
Smith,  and  I  feel  that  while  Liberia  is  dear  to  me 
as  the  apple  of  mine  eye,  I  must  ever  feel  that  I  am 
your  grieved,  your  offended,  but  your  affectionate 
friend,  M.  MERCER. 

"  Consider  every  expression  contained  in  my  last 
as  still  the  expression  of  my  heart.  May  the  Prince 
of  Peace  reign  supreme  in  your  soul;  and  may  He 
show  you  whenever  you  wound  Him,  by  departing 
from  his  meek  and  lowly  spirit.  May  He  love  you 
and  keep  you  close  to  Himself,  and  may  He  let  no 
pharisaical  confidence  in  your  own  righteousness 
be  your  temptation.  When  men  know  that  they  do 
12 


134  A  MEMOIR 

more  than  others,  they  are  often  most  in  danger. 
Do  not  think  I  do  not  pray  thus  for  myself- — nay, 
if  I  were  not  in  Christ,  I  should  certainly  not  have 
written  this  letter,  for  when  I  act  from  impulse,  I 
always  sin.  Farewell  until  all  differences  are  set- 
tled in  Christ's  judgment  of  truth." 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  this  letter,  of  which 
Mr.  Smith  himself  testifies,  "  it  was  the  warm  ex- 
pression of  an  honest  heart,"  was  not  intended  for 
any  other  eye  than  that  of  him  to  whom  it  was 
addressed.  Her  actions  had  proved  that  she  had 
reason  to  speak  strongly  of  her  hatred  of  slavery,  as 
equal  to  that  of  Mr.  S.  If,  then,  upon  such  enemies 
of  slavery  as  Miss  Mercer,  the  letter  to  Dr.  Smylie 
produced  an  effect  so  foreign  to  the  avowed  object 
of  the  abolitionists,  what  but  still  stronger  hostility 
to  their  measures  could  result  from  the  yet  more 
exceptionable  works  which  have  since  issued  from 
the  North  ?  How  much  greater  must  be  the  irrita- 
tion of  those  not  yet  convinced,  as  she  was,  of  the 
sinfulness  of  slavery!  Strange  that  such  results 
should  not  have  curbed  the  rampart  enthusiasm  of 
their  erring  course. 

During  ten  years  she  continued  with  eminent 
success  to  conduct  her  school  amid  the  scenes  of  her 
childhood,  and  in  the  halls  sanctified  to  her  by  the 
long  residence  of  parents  most  fondly  loved  in  their 
lives,  whose  memory  was  cherished  with  the  great- 
est veneration,  and  whose  mortal  remains  rested 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        135 

within  the  grounds.  But  in  addition  to  the  circum- 
stances which  endear  scenes  the  least  attractive  in 
themselves,  and  clothe  with  the  charms  of  associa- 
tion the  least  picturesque  landscape,  Cedar  Park 
was  possessed  of  beauties  both  of  nature  and  of  art, 
which  made  it  essentially  appropriate  to  the  pur- 
poses to  which  it  was  thus  devoted.  The  outspread 
waters  of  the  river  rolled  before  the  door,  flowing 
into  the  Chesapeake,  whose  broad  bosom  lay 
stretched  out  toward  the  horizon,  bearing  upon  it 
the  constantly  passing  commerce  of  the  third  city 
in  the  Union,  while  immediately  around  the  mansion 
was  a  park  of  several  hundred  acres,  clothed  in  the 
richest  verdure,  Tcept  ever  cropped  by  a  numerous 
herd  of  fallow  deer,  scattered  over  its  undulated 
surface  diversified  with  forest  trees.  It  was  a  scene 
in  which  the  mind  could  not  but  expand,  and  the 
heart  find  improvement  from  the  objects  by  which 
it  was  surrounded.  But  in  the  year  1834  the 
growth  of  her  brother's  family,  who  resided  with 
her,  and  her  desire  to  promote  their  comfort,  in- 
duced Miss  Mercer  to  change  her  residence.  The 
only  alternative  was  to  dismiss  her  train  of  teachers, 
limit  exceedingly  the  number  of  her  pupils,  and 
thus  diminish  the  extent  of  her  usefulness,  and 
abandon  the  pursuit  to  which  she  had  consecrated 
her  life,  and  devoted  her  energies.  For  a  short  time 
she  removed  to  Franklin,  in  the  vicinity  of  Balti- 
more, under  the  impression  that  in  the  neighbour- 


136  A  MEMOIR 

hood  of  that  city  she  should  secure  more  competent 
assistance  in  some  branches  of  education,  and  there- 
fore obtain  a  still  larger  amount  of  patronage.  In 
these  expectations  she  was  disappointed,  and  she 
found  that  whilst  her  expenses  were  much  increased, 
there  was  not  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  num- 
ber of  her  pupils,  and  she  shortly  transferred  her 
establishment  to  Belmont,  near  Leesburg,  in  Vir- 
ginia, where  she  purchased  a  dilapidated  mansion, 
in  a  secluded  position,  and  had  it  fitted  up  with 
every  convenience  for  her  purpose. 

The  neighbourhood  was  one  which  possessed  no 
attractions.  Far  removed  from  any  persons  of  cul- 
tivated mind  or  congenial  feelings,  nearly  six  miles 
from  any  place  of  public  worship,  her  only  near 
neighbours  persons  of  limited  intelligence,  and  des- 
titute of  any  sympathy  with  her  views  and  efforts 
for  their  benefit,  no  situation  could  have  presented 
fewer  points  of  attraction.  It  was  the  autumn  when 
she  entered  upon  its  occupation,  with  a  very  limited 
number  of  pupils,  and  under  circumstances  calcu- 
lated to  damp  the  ardour  of  the  most  energetic. 
One  of  the  assistants,  in  referring  to  it  afterward, 
remarked,  "  That  was  a  sad,  dark  winter  indeed." 

But  it  was  the  rising  of  the  sun  dispelling  the 
mist,  and  exhibiting  the  dark  rough  points  of  the 
uncultivated  valley,  only  to  cause  the  seed  which 
lay  dormant  to  germinate,  and  the  solitary  place  to 
be  glad,  and  the  wilderness  to  blossom  as  the  rose. 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         137 

Miss  Mercer  could  not  confine  her  attention  to  her 
pupils  alone,  and  sit  down  inactive,  surrounded  by 
moral  and  intellectual  evil,  without  making  an  effort 
for  its  removal;  and  though  at  the  first  those  efforts 
were  misunderstood,  and  her  purposes  thwarted,  in 
the  end,  she  was  enabled  to  triumph  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  her  designs.  It  was  a  favourite  theory 
with  her  that  nothing  can  withstand  the  influence 
of  love.  Thus  she  writes: 

"I  am  persuaded  that  none  can  be  saved  but 
those  who  love  God ;  and  there  are  so  few  who  do 
not  love  every  thing  and  any  thing  better  than  God, 
that  I  must  suppose  the  great  object  of  religious  in- 
struction is  to  teach  them  to  love  God.  They  think 
they  do  love  Him,  but  where  among  the  teachers, 
the  preachers,  the  professors  of  our  faith,  do  we  find 
a  love  of  God  prevailing  over  a  love  of  the  world  ? 
Where  do  we  find  a  child  of  God  acquiescing  joy- 
fully in  the  will  of  his  Father,  be  that  will  what  it 
may,  because  it  is  his  will  ?  Where  do  we  find  a 
woman  loving  her  God  as  many  a  woman  loves 
her  husband,  having  no  pleasure  in  any  thing  which 
interferes  with  his  pleasure  ?  Now  such  is  the  con- 
stitution of  human  nature,  that  we  can  never  feel 
this  love  for  God  until  we  are  deeply  impressed 
with  a  belief  in  his  love  for  us — his  all-prevailing 
love.  *  *  *  *  I  believe  that  the  most  desperate  vil- 
lain that  exists  would  be  more  impressed  by  a  visit 
from  an  angel  of  light,  than  a  fiend  from  hell.  I 
12* 


138  A  MEMOIR 

believe  that  none  can  come  except  they  be  drawn 
of  the  Father,  and  that  this  attraction  is  in  a  con- 
templation of  his  goodness,  his  wisdom,  and  his 
power."  Applying  this  principle  to  her  own  prac- 
tice, she  strove  to  draw  those  under  her  influence 
to  a  love  for  herself,  that  so  she  might  win  them  to 
the  love  of  God.  She  ministered  to  their  wants, 
and  comforted  them  in  their  distresses,  and  when 
they  repaid  her  efforts  for  their  benefit  with  insult 
and  reproach,  she  still  poured  the  fire  of  love  upon 
their  heads,  until  the  hardness  of  the  natural  heart 
was  subdued,  and  they  were  brought  not  only  to 
acknowledge  her  good  designs  towards  them,  but 
still  further  to  "glorify  her  Father  in  heaven." 
With  this  view  she  paid  most  liberally  for  the  pro- 
duce of  the  labour  of  her  new  neighbours,  for  which 
her  large  establishment  created  a  market.  She  pro- 
cured an  instructress,  and  established  a  school  for 
their  children  who  were  growing  up  in  ignorance 
and  vice.  She  instructed  them  in  agriculture  and 
domestic  economy,  and  induced  the  young  ladies 
under  her  care  to  distribute  their  children  among 
them  as  wards,  over  whom  they  were  to  watch,  and 
train  them  in  habits  of  neatness  and  virtue;  and 
destitute  as  they  were  of  all  religious  instruction, 
she  threw  open  to  them  the  halls  of  her  own  house 
at  the  period  of  worship  there,  until  by  an  effort, 
which  cannot  be  appreciated  except  by  those  who 
witnessed  it  and  knew  the  circumstances  in  which 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCEH.  139 

it  was  made,  she  was  enabled  to  accomplish  the 
desire  of  her  soul,  and  saw  a  church  consecrated 
especially  to  the  worship  of  "  the  great  God  our 
Saviour,"  and  regularly  supplied  with  the  ministra- 
tions of  the  gospel. 

One  who  partook  of  the  same  spirit  by  which 
she  was  actuated,  and  entered  heartily  into  her  plans, 
speaking  of  these  events,  writes: 

"  The  good  our  dear  Miss  Mercer  effected  in 
this  neighbourhood  should  form  a  prominent  part 
in  a  sketch  of  her  life.  On  her  first  coming  here, 
she  found  the  people  destitute  of  nearly  every  spiri- 
tual and  temporal  comfort;  but  by  her  own  personal 
and  persevering  exertions  amongst  them,  a  most 
pleasing  and  striking  change  is  now  apparent.  It 
was  many  years  before  her  most  energetic  efforts  for 
the  erection  of  the  little  Belmont  church  were  blessed 
with  success,  but  during  the  whole  of  her  residence 
here,  her  house  was  open  to  the  neighbourhood  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  all  were  invited  freely  to  attend 
the  family  services.  At  first  these  people  were  so 
ignorant  of  even  the  external  duties  of  religion  as 
frequently  to  interrupt  our  worship  by  their  rude 
and  disorderly  conduct ;  now,  our  pastor  and  other 
clergymen  who  occasionally  visit  us,  say  they  never 
preached  to  a  more  attentive  and  orderly  congre- 
gation. This  change  is  of  course  to  be  entirely 
attributed  to  our  dear  Miss  Mercer's  persevering 
efforts  for  their  improvement.  By  her  liberal  re- 


140  •     A  MEMOIR 

numeration  of  their  services,  and  personal  attention 
to  their  domestic  comfort,  the  temporal  condition  of 
the  neighbourhood  has  been  greatly  improved,  and 
many  comfortable  little  tenements  erected  since  the 
encouragement  afforded  by  her  to  honest  industry. 
The  ingratitude  or  unworthy  conduct  of  those  she 
wished  to  befriend  never  checked  her  benevolent 
efforts  for  their  good  ;  on  the  contrary,  she  never 
failed  to  rebuke  those  who  urged  her  on  this  account 
to  give  up  her  interest  in  them,  saying  the  question 
was  not  whether  they  were  worthy,  but  whether 
they  were  suffering." 

The  amount  of  hostility  she  was  compelled  to  en- 
counter, thus  referred  to  by  Miss  C.,  was  at  one 
time  very  great,  amounting  to  a  determination  to 
drive  her  from  the  neighbourhood.  Unjust  claims 
against  her  were  purchased  and  put  in  suit,  thus  re- 
compensing her  good  with  evil.  Yet  was  she  "  pa- 
tient, immovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  she  knew  that  her  labour 
was  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 

Depressed  as  were  her  spirits  by  the  circum- 
stances in  which  she  was  placed,  and  dark  as  were 
the  prospects  of  her  own  school  for  a  time,  her 
heart  was  at  once  interested  for  the  spiritual  desti- 
tution of  those  among  whom  her  lot  was  thus  cast, 
and  she  immediately  set  herself  to  devising  methods 
for  their  improvement.  The  erection  of  a  place  of 
worship  was  one  of  her  warmest  wishes,  and  after 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        141 

years  of  patient,  untiring,  self-denying  labour,  she 
lived  to  see  it  accomplished,  and  it  now  stands  in 
itself  an  object  of  attraction  to  all  that  pass  by,  but 
of  far  greater  interest  as  the  witness  to  those  who 
reside  near,  of  her  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  their 
souls.  Nor  should  it  fail  to  produce  a  still  wider 
influence.  Certainly  no  circumstances  could  be 
conceived  more  disheartening  than  those  in  which 
it  was  planned,  undertaken,  and  accomplished. 
.With  no  pecuniar}'  resources  other  than  the  results 
of  her  own  toil,  labouring  without  capital  for  the 
support  of  a  large  and  necessarily  expensive  esta- 
blishment, conscious  that  there  were  many  calls  for 
her  aid  to  those  whom  she  loved  more  than  her 
own  self;  oppressed  with  debt  incurred  from  the 
highest  and  holiest  motives,  daily  engaged  in  the 
discharge  of  duties,  which  if  she  had  sought  merely 
to  pacify  her  conscience,  might  have  relieved  the 
most  anxious,  she  yet  shrunk  not  from  an  under- 
taking which  is  considered  too  great  for  many  of 
exhaustless  means,  who  rest  content  to  be  debarred 
the  privileges  of  public  worship  and  teaching  them- 
selves, though  they  might  be  acquired  without  self- 
denial,  and  utterly  regardless  of  the  claims  of  pe- 
rishing souls  around  them.  The  circumstances  un- 
der which  this  work  was  accomplished  would 
scarcely  be  credited,  could  they  be  described.  The 
following  letter  written  at  the  time  will  convey  a 
forcible  illustration  of  them.  It  was  written  in  all 


142  A  MEMOIR 

the  fulness  and  freeness  of  a  long-continued  and 
most  intimate  friendship  to  one  of  congenial  feel- 
ings and  closely  allied  to  her. 

"  Your  letter  by  last  mail  rebuked  my  conscience 

so  severely,  my  dear ,  that  I  resolved  that  at 

all  events  I  would  write  by  this  mail.  I  confess 
that  I  have  been  so  much  kept  in  suspense  by  the 
state  of  my  affairs  that  I  have  not  had  spirits  to  write, 
thinking  that  my  letter  would  afford  any  thing  but 
pleasure  to  my  friends;  but  when  I  think  of  what 
my  troubles  are,  and  what  those  of  my  friends,  I  can- 
not justify  to  myself  the  neglect  of  those  sources  of 
mutual  comfort  which  are  always  open  to  relations. 
I  have  a  constant  desire  to  hear  from  you  all  on 
my  mind,  and  I  ought  to  remember  that  you  have 
the  same  feeling  about  me;  but  such  is  the  weak- 
ness of  human  nature,  that  we  indulge  morbid  en- 
grossing feelings  about  external  things,  and  neglect 
the  pure  spiritual  comforts  which  are  ever  open  to 
us.  I  preserve  a  cheerfulness  which  seems  partly 
mechanical,  but  it  is,  I  trust,  very  much  induced  by 
a  firm  belief  that  God  rules,  and  that  every  thing 
must  work  for  good  under  His  superintending  pro- 
vidence. It  has  been  a  great  aggravation  of  my 
many  perplexities,  that  I  see  no  chance  of  my  ever 
again  having  the  means  of  visiting  friends  and  scenes 
so  very  dear  to  me  as  Elmwpod  and  its  inmates. 
For  the  last  few  years  the  means  have  been  rapidly 
diminishing,  while  the  necessity  for  endeavouring 


Or  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  143 

to  keep  up  the  school  has  never  diminished  in  the 
least. 

"Now  I  am  bound  to  a  wrecked  vessel  on  a 
desert  coast,  I  am  obliged  to  meet  all  the  expenses 
of  a  school  here,  and  have  no  income  to  support  it. 
Ten  scholars  affording  employment  for  seven  teach- 
ers! what  can  be  done?  I  screw  and  economize  to 
the  greatest  extent;  I  save  every  thing,  and  buy  no- 
thing, and  yet  I  am  rapidly  going  down,  and  for 
weeks  have  actually  had  just  two  cents,  neither 
more  nor  less,  to  meet  the  expenses  of  this  great 
establishment."  She  then  refers  to  subjects  of  a 
nature  too  private  for  any  eye  but  those  for  which 
they  were  intended  by  the  writer,  and  adds:  "But 
no,  I  am  going  too  far,  circumstances  are  not  as  bad 
as  possible,  though  I  should  be  like  a  bird  escaped 
from  the  fowler's  snare,  if  I  were  liberated  without 
one  dollar  and  without  debt, ....  had  I  any  thing 
agreeable  to  communicate,  I  should  make  letters  fly 
north,  south,  east,  and  west,  and  it  would  not  be 

many  hours  before would  have  a  budget; 

meanwhile  may  the  Comforter  abide  with  you  all, 
and  enable  us  one  and  all  to  set  our  hearts  and  affec- 
tions upon  heavenly  things.  Ever  unalterably, 
yours,  "  M.  MERCER." 

It  was  but  rarely  she  indulged  thus  in  the  expres- 
sion of  her  cares  and  sorrows  even  to  her  most  in- 
timate friends  and  nearest  connexions,  and  she  was 


144  A  MEMOIR 

wont  to  declare  she  "  could  not  send  missiles  of  af- 
fection barbed  with  poison." 

The  allusion  to  the  small  number  of  her  pupils  at 
this  time  affords  an  appropriate  occasion  to  record 
another  evidence  of  the  disinterested  motives  by 
which  she  was  influenced.  Thus,  while  she  refers 
to  her  school  as  consisting  of  ten  pupils,  it  is  in  con- 
nexion with  the  means  of  support  derived  from 
them.  There  were  at  the  same  time  no  fewer  than 
five  other  young  ladies  receiving  their  whole  sup- 
port, and  partaking  of  all  the  benefits  of  her  school, 
without  rendering  her  any  remuneration  whatever; 
and  the  same  disinterested  benevolence  was  mani- 
fested during  every  period  of  her  career  as  a  teacher. 

Yet  even  under  such  circumstances  of  trial  her 
faith  did  not  fail  her,  having  an  anchor  sure  and 
steadfast  fixed  within  the  veil.  Instead  of  murmur- 
ing and  repining  at  the  disappointment  of  her  hopes, 
or  fainting  under  the  difficulties  of  the  way,  we  find 
her  thus  addressing  one  of  her  former  assistants,  to 
whom  she  was  strongly  attached,  and  in  whose  wel- 
fare she  took  the  deepest  interest 

"  Indeed,  my  beloved  friend,  my  sister, 

I  would  not,  if  I  could,  give  you  an  adequate  de- 
scription of  the  vexations,  cares,  and  perplexities 
attending  my  removal  to  this  place;  and  were  it  not 
that  I  am  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord,  and  feel  that 
tribulation  worketh  patience,  and  did  I  not  remem- 
ber that  my  blessed  Master  was  perfected  through 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  145 

suffering,  I  should  have  been  driven  to  desperation 
long  ago.  Even  now  I  know  not  what  means  the 
Lord  will  provide  to  relieve  me  from  my  deep  dis- 
tress; but  it  has  been  at  all  times  His  pleasure  and 
wisdom  to  bring  relief  for  my  necessities  in  a  way 
that  I  knew  not,  and  I  doubt  not  it  will  be  so  now. 

tells  me  you  are  still  unsettled  in  your  plans: 

surely  in  these  times  of  scarcity  and  high  prices  you 
will  not  attempt  housekeeping.  My  dear  friend, 
unless  you  can  do  better,  come  back  to  your  home, 
for  while  I  have  a  house,  that  house  is  your  home. 
Come  help  me  to  labour  in  this  most  un- 
cultivated corner  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  I  never 
saw  such  people.  The  Sabbath  profaned,  and  no 
church  in  the  neighbourhood." 

To  her  long-loved  friend,  Miss ,  she  writes: 

"  This  instant,  my  dear,  my  early  and  kind  friend, 
I  received  your  valued  letter,  and  hasten  to  relieve 
you  of  anxiety  as  to  my  health.  I  have  been  this 
winter  much  indisposed,  and,  as  you  may  suppose, 
not  in  very  good  spirits  away  from  home  and  early 
friends.  And  yet  God,  who  is  always  good,  has 
surrounded  me  with  many  blessings,  and  I  have,  as 
the  spring  approached,  revived  wonderfully.  I  am 
now  in  my  usual  health,  and  as  busy  as  a  bee, 
building  up  the  waste  places,  replanting  the  gardens, 
enclosing  the  grounds,  tilling  the  fields,  providing 
for  my  immense  family  in  the  wilderness,  teaching 
natural  history,  botany,  chemistry,  drawing,  rheto- 
13 


146  A  MEMOIR 

ric,  &c.,  &c.,  and  superintending  every  thing.  You 
may  believe  that  I  have  very  little  time,  but  how 
warmly  do  I  greet  a  letter  from  you,  and  how  re- 
joiced shall  I  be  to  write  to  you,  whenever  I  hear 
from  you  that  you  are  well  enough  to  take  pleasure 
in  my  letters.  I  am  working  out  my  salvation  with 
fear  and  trembling,  my  dear  friend,  for  I  have  much 
to  apprehend  from  my  becoming  too  much  absorbed 
in  worldly  associations.  Many  a  snare  is  hid  under 
a  duty  of  high  obligation;  and  yet  I  trust  that  you 
from  your  gloomy  seclusion,  and  I  from  my  dis- 
tracting publicity  of  life,  will  meet  safe  in  our  hea- 
venly Father's  mansion  of  resf,  whence  we  shall  be 
enabled  to  cast  a  glance  of  grateful  retrospection 
upon  the  dark  and  thorny  path  by  which  we  came 
into  eternal  life.  "Blessed  be  God,  who  always 
giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ."  This  winter  has  been  very  mild  here, 
and  has  given  me  a  more  favourable  impression  of 
the  climate  than  I  before  entertained.  The  popu- 
lation is  but  a  grade  above  the  children  of  the  mist, 
but  we  are  making  an  effort  to  instruct  them  by 
getting  a  church  established.  They  seem  quite  wil- 
ling to  build  a  small  house  to  serve  as  a  church  and 
school-house,  and  I  augur  well  from  their  good  dis- 
position on  this  subject." 

To  her  friend,  J.  H.  B.  Latrobe,  Esq.,  of  Balti- 
more, she  thus  writes,  after  some  years  had  elapsed, 
on  the  same  subject 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         147 

"As  you  have  never  accomplished  your  promised 
visit  to  Belmont,  you  have  no  idea  of  the  vineyard 
of  our  church  having  such  a  wilderness  in  it;  and  in 
turning  to  you  to  ask  a  favour,  I  only  wish  I  could 
describe  to  you  the  moral  and  religious  destitution 
against  which  a  little  band  of  poor  women  have 
been  engaged  here  for  now  seven  years.  We  have 
settled  where  has  never  been  within  six  miles  in 
any  direction  a  place  of  public  worship  of  any  de- 
nomination, and  where,  of  course,  a  population  need- 
ing most  emphatically  our  aid  is  most  perfectly  un- 
conscious of  their  wants.  Once  since  I  came  here 
I  had  collected  a  little  fund  to  build  a  church ;  but 
the  very  people  who  were  to  have  benefited  by  our 
efforts  joined  to  rob  us  of  our  little  fund,  and  now 
again  we  have  made  enough  to  commence;  and  I 
have  bethought  me  that  you  would  contribute  a 
simple  but  tasteful  plan,  the  very  cheapest  that 
can  be  constructed.  Will  you  not  do  us  that  kind- 
ness? The  site  is  a  slight  elevation  in  a  skirt  of 
wood  near  the  road."  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  no 
obstacle  ever  interposed  an  insuperable  difficulty  to 
her  in  the  path  to  which  duty  led  her.  Principle 
was  the  incentive  to  action,  and  feeling  was  intro- 
duced merely  as  an  adjunct:  and  while  the  one  com- 
municated ardour  to  her  efforts,  the  other  guided 
those  efforts  with  steadiness  to  the  attainment  of  the 
goal  proposed.  Who  can  enter  with  full  sympathy 
into  her  feelings,  when,  after  seven  years  of  almost 


148  A  MEMOIR 

hopeless  effort,  the  soft  notes  of  the  swelling  organ, 
combined  with  the  richer  melody  of  the  voices  of 
.  those  who  had  recognised  in  her  the  instrument  in 
God's  hand  of  new  life  to  their  souls,  first  floated 
along  that  "  skirt  of  wood," 

"  A  holy,  heavenly  melody, 
The  incense  of  converted  hearts." 

But  whilst  we  thus  render  honour  to  whom  hon- 
our is  due,  her  crown  was  cast  at  the  feet  of  Him 
who  "  first  loved  her,"  to  whom  belong  "  all  glory 
and  honour,"  as  from  Him  comes  "  all  power." 

While  she  thus  anxiously  endeavoured  to  pro- 
mote the  spiritual  good  of  her  own  immediate 
neighbourhood,  her  enlarged  benevolence  extended 
its  compassion  to  those  still  more  destitute;  and 
with  the  deep  interest  we  have  seen  she  took  in 
Africa,  it  will  afford  no  matter  of  surprise  to  find 
her  longing  for  the  extension  of  the  blessings  of  the 
gospel  and  civilization  to  its  degraded  inhabitants. 

Among  the  ladies  who  at  different  times  were  in- 
troduced as  assistants  into  the  school  of  Miss  Mer- 
cer, were  several  of  great  loveliness  of  character,  to 
whom  she  became  closely  and  tenderly  attached, 
and  with  whom  she  maintained  a  frequent  inter- 
course after  they  withdrew  from  her  institution. 
She  ever  regarded  their  interests  as  identified  with 
her  own,*  and  followed  their  course  with  sympathy 

*  On  one  occasion,  having  visited  a  flourishing  school  under  the  su- 
pervision of  an  old  scholar,  she  said,  with  her  usual  sweetness,  "  I  con- 
sider this  school  as  a  little  colony  from  my  own." 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  149 

and  counsel.  Among  them  was  one  who,  after 
having  been  separated  from  her  for  nearly  three 
years,  formed  a  matrimonial  alliance  with  the  Rev. 
L.  B.  Minor,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church, 
and  accompanied  him  on  a  mission  to  Cape  Palmas 
in  Western  Africa.  Miss  Mercer's  attachment  to 
Miss  Stewart  had  been  very  strong,  and  her  interest 
in  the  proposed  enterprise  was  great:  uniting,  as  it 
did,  her  personal  feeling  of  attachment  to  the  indi- 
vidual, with  her  high  appreciation  of  the  duty  in- 
cumbent on  the  Church  to  spread  to  those  yet  in 
darkness  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel. 
No  sooner  was  she  apprized  of  the  views  of  Miss 
Stewart,  than  she  wrote  to  her: — 

My  own  beloved  sister  in  Christ: — 

All  I  will  say  is  that  you  should  commune  with 
God  in  your  own  heart  by  prayer,  and  by  a  serious 
consideration  of  the  duty  which  you  are  now  in- 
vited to  perform.  Is  not  He  who  made  you  able 
to  protect  you?  does  He  not  know  whereof  you  are 
made,  and  does  He  not  consequently  know  how  to 
preserve  you  under  all  circumstances?  He  says, 
"  Go  ye  unto  all  the  world."  Has  He  not  been  long 
preparing  you  by  the  teaching  of  his  Holy  Spirit? 
and  if  you  yield  to  the  dissuasions  of  men,  will  you 
be  happy  in  the  consciousness  of  having  done  so? 
I  do  not  wish  to  persuade  you,  my  dearest  friend, 
to  undertake  the  great  and  solemn  mission — but  I 


150  A  MEMOIR 

feel  it  to  be  a  Christian  duty  to  recall  to  your  mind 
certain  considerations.  As  for  your  friends,  "  He 
that  loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is  not 
worthy  of  me."  Suppose  Mr.  Minor  had  acted  on 
the  principles  which  are  urged  upon  you,  would  it 
have  been  for  the  good  or  glory  of  the  Church? 
And  yet  his  dear  old  blind  mother  is  a  more  sacred 
and  interesting  tie  than  any  which  binds  you  to 
home.  I  should  love  to  have  you  always  with  me, 
but  my  imagination  is  already  with  you  in  your 
mountain  school,  where  I  see  you,  seated  in  the 
midst  of  your  pupils,  singing  sweet  hymns  of  praise, 
and  teaching  them  to  lisp  the  words  of  prayer.  Our 
heavenly  Father  will  surely  go  with  you,  and  Christ 
will  never  leave  you.  Submission  under  trials  is  as 
important  a  part  of  Christian  walk  and  duty  as  your 
rejoicing  in  the  prosperity  of  the  spiritual  city  you 
may  assist  to  found  in  the  very  dominion  of  Satan. 
I  have  written  in  great  haste:  if  it  were  possible,  I 
would  come  instantly  to  you,  but  my  heavy  charge 
and  the 'season  both  forbid,  and  I  hardly  dare  hope 
that  you  may  be  able  to  spare  two  or  three  days, 
and  fly  up  to  Belmont,  that  I  may  see  you.  Say 
every  thing  affectionate  to  Mr.  Minor.  You  did 
not  know  that  he  is  a  kind  of  cousin  of  mine.  I  should 
like  to  go  to  Africa  with  you  if  I  were  young.  But 
I  will,  stay  at  home,  and  pray  that  God  may  order 
all  things  temporal  and  spiritual  for  your  happiness. 
May  you  have  faith,  and  pray  believing — asking 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        151 

lor  none  other  things  but  such  as  the  Spirit  directs, 
and  may  you  return  at  no  distant  time,  to  bring 
glad  tidings  of  great  joy  to  all  that  love  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  Amen  and  Amen. 

Yours  unalterably, 

M.  MERCER. 

A  few  days  later  she  adds: — "  I  wrote  you  by  re- 
turn of  the  mail  by  which  I  received  yours,  from 
the  impression  made  by  it  on  my  mind.  All  that 
I  can  now  say  in  Jhe  moment  allowed  me  is,  that  if 
I  understand  your  situation  and  feelings,  I  believe 
it  is  essential  to  your  future  happiness,  that  you 
should  prove  your  trust  in  God,  and  go  where  He 
calls  you  to  go  for  His  sake  and  the  gospel's. 
Struggles  of  feeling  you  must  expect  to  have  in 
quitting  home  and  country  and  friends.  I  would 
not  persuade  you  to  go,  for  it  is  in  vain  for  you  to 
do  so  if  you  do  not  go  from  the  impulse  of  your 
own  heart,  urged  on  by  faith  and  love. 

That  God  may  bless  you,  and  have  you  in  His 
holy  keeping,  prays 

Your  devotedly  attached  friend, 

M.  MERCER. 

Three  years  of  missionary  toil  returned  Mrs.  Mi- 
nor to  her  native  country,  a  desolate,  mourning 
widow.  Among  the  first  and  warmest  to  express 
their  sympathy,  and  welcome  her  to  scenes  of  rest, 
was  Miss  Mercer,  who  thus  addressed  her. 


152  A  MEMOIR 

"When  you  arrived  in  this  country,  my  own  be- 
loved friend,  I  hastened  down  to  Baltimore  to  meet 
you,  but  found  you  were  not  there,  and  imperious 
duties  at  home  forced  me  back,  hoping  that  no  long 
time  would  elapse  before  I  should  have  another  op- 
portunity to  see  you;  that  perhaps  you  would  come 
to  me,  or  that,  at  all  events,  I  should  be  able  to  cor- 
respond with  you.  Since  then,  I  have  never  known 
where  you  were,  or  how  to  write  to  you.  I  have 
longed,  dearest,  most  precious  friend,  to  listen  to  the 
outpourings  of  your  cares  and  griefs,  and  to  learn 
what  were  your  future  plans.  I  know  you  so  well, 
that  I  am  assured  you  cannot  be  happy  in  inaction, 
and  yet  there  is  much  necessity  for  prudent  and  ju- 
dicious decision  with  regard  to  the  choice  of  means 
in  the  service  of  God.  I  should  therefore  be  most 
happy  if  you  would  write  to  me,  if  you  cannot  come 
here  to  see  me.  I  would  gladly  come  to  you  if  I 
could  leave  my  school,  but  that  is  now  impossible. 
I  think  that  your  wounded  spirit  would  be  greatly 
restored  by  the  spiritual  rest  of  Belmont.  It  has 
pleased  our  God,  just  at  this  time,  to  visit  my  little 
garden,  with  the  refreshing  showers  of  His  grace, 
and  a  sweeter  scene  could  scarcely  be  found  than  in 
the  band  of  dear  young  persons,  all  seeking  the  Lord 
in  their  youth.  They  are  just  now  in  the  fulness 
and  fervour  of  a  first  love,  and  anxious  to  be  doing 
good.  Now  if  you  would  come  among  them,  you 
might  do  much  good  for  your  cause.  Come,  then, 
my  beloved  Mary,  and  let  us  once  more  unite  our 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        153 

voices  in  prayer  and  praise.  How  often  have  I 
thought,  with  longing  desire,  since  you  left  home, 
of  your  sweet  hymns.  I  never  hear  '  Rise,  my  soul,' 
but  it  brings  you  immediately  before  my  view.  I 
cannot  say  more  unless  I  hear  from  you,  but  I  can 
and  do  pray  that  wherever  you  may  be,  and  in  what- 
ever portion  of  the  vineyard  the  Lord  has  called  you 
into,  He  may  give  you  sensible  peace  in  the  percep- 
tion that  passive  duties  are  as  much  blessed  as  those 
which,  humanly  speaking,  we  call  more  active." 

And  again,  she  writes  to  her:  "I  do  not  wonder, 
my  beloved  friend,  that  you  have  been  shattered  by 
the  trying  duties  you  have  had  to  perform,  but  the 
climate  of  your  native  land,  the  soothing  society  of 
your  friends  and  family,  and  the  bland  and  gentle 
influence  of  the  Comforter,  Him  who  loved  you  and 
loves  you,  and  will  love  you  with  an  everlasting 
love,  are  yours.  There  is,  blessed  be  God,  a  rest 
even  here  for  the  people  of  God,  and  often  I  think 
of  the  words  of  the  Saviour, '  While  the  Bridegroom 
tarried,  they  all  slumbered  and  slept.'  The  wise 
and  the  foolish  have  equal  need  of  that  relaxation 
and  repose  of  the  animal  spirits  which  give  ex- 
hausted nature  time  to  recover  its  elasticity  after 

sore  trials 1  am  grieved  to  find  the  church  so 

much  distracted  by  dissensions.  Mr.  Barnes  and 
the  Episcopal  Recorder  appear  to  me  to  be  both 
committing  sin  against  their  common  Redeemer.* 

*  Referring  to  the  controversy  as  to  the  position  of  the  Evangelical 
body  in  the  Episcopal  Church. 


154  A  MEMOIR 

Alas!  alas!  how  often  is  He  still  wounded  in  the 
house  of  his  friends.  Nevertheless,  His  mercies  are 
everlasting,  as  you  and  I,  dear  Mary,  know  by  long 
experience.  We  are  all  very  busy  trying  to  get  up 
a  little,  tiny  church  here  in  the  wilderness;  pray 
for  us  that  God  may  bless  our  efforts,  and  the  Saviour 
accept  our  offerings.  It  is  truly  a  missionary  sta- 
tion— no  meeting-house  of  any  denomination  for 
twelve  miles  square — neighbourhood  filling  up — the 
habits  of  the  people  heathen — their  ignorance  of  the 
way  of  salvation  utter — but  we  have  a  sweet  little 
sabbath-school,  and  I  thank  God  that  we  are  made 
the  instruments  of  His  mercy  in  this  desolate  por- 
tion of  the  vineyard;  you  must  come  and  see  our 
mountain  home." 

We  have  seen  that  her  removal  to  Belmont  was 
under  circumstances  of  great  trial;  and  at  a  subse- 
quent period,  when  the  commercial  difficulties  in 
which  the  country  was  involved  had  reduced  her 
pupils  to  a  very  small  number,  her  friends  felt  great 
apprehension  lest  she  should  sink  under  the  anxiety 
inseparably  connected  with  maintaining  a  large 
number  of  teachers  and  an  expensive  establishment, 
while  the  number  of  her  pupils  was  too  small  to  af- 
ford it  an  adequate  support.  They  saw  too  with 
painful  anticipation,  as  the  result,  that  these  cares 
were  wasting  her  little  remaining  strength.  Under 
these  circumstances,  one  of  her  former  teachers,  to 
whom  she  was  most  tenderly  attached,  wrote  to  her, 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.       155 

suggesting  her  removal  to  Richmond,  Virginia, 
while  another  friend  proposed  Baltimore,  where  she 
would  be  surrounded  by  a  circle  of  attached  friends, 
some  of  whom  thought  she  might  there  exert  an  in- 
fluence greater  than  in  her  present  position.  In  re- 
ply to  the  former  she  thus  wrote: 

"Your  letter  reached  me  yesterday,  dear  cousin 
(a  term  of  affectionate  endearment  by  which  she  ad- 
dressed those  of  her  teachers,  with  whom  she  felt 
especial  sympathy,)  and  I  return  you  my  sincere 
thanks  for  the  affectionate  interest  you  take  in  my 
affairs.  I  am  doing  badly  enough,  but  I  have  no 
idea  of  Richmond.  If  I  am  forced  at  any  time  to 
quit  Belmont,  I  hope  it  will  be  for  Baltimore.  I  am 
too  old  to  go  to  a  strange  place,  to  make  new  ac- 
quaintances and  friends:  I  have  neither  taste  nor  ta- 
lents for  that  sort  of  thing.  In  Baltimore  I  should 
be  surrounded  by  friends  and  near  my  own  family: 
nothing  but  necessity,  however,  will  carry  me  away 
from  Belmont.  Perceiving  as  I  do  what  a  blessing 
rests  upon  my  labours  in  my  little  school,  I  shall  not 
willingly  relinquish  it.  I  have  never  seen  my 
school  half  so  pleasing  as  during  this  year — no  way- 
ward or  refractory  spirit  among  them,  and  most  of 
them  deeply  interested  in  religion — I  have  the  daily 
enjoyment  of  fostering  and  training  gentle  spirits 
for  Heaven.  Were  it  not  for  debt,  I  should  live  in 
a  lower  heaven  here.  From  my  heart  I  pity * 

*  A  young  lady  who  had  been  a. pupil, but  'took  the  veil'  after  leaving 
her  school. 


156  A  MEMOIR 

I  do  not  believe  her  delusions  will  last  much  longer 
than  they  are  kept  up  by  outward  opposition.  When 
she  has  completed  all  her  schemes  and  immured  her- 
self to  teach  French  in  a  convent,  she  will  begin  to 
say  to  herself,  'this  is  just  what  I  should  have  had 
to  do  had  I  held  on  to  my  natural  friends,  and  in 
what  do  I  serve  God  better  than  they  do  ?'  If  she 

had  been  at  the  death  bed  of  her  aunt ,  she 

would  have  seen  there  what  might  have  awakened 
her  to  the  truth.  If  she  had  seen  the  beloved  wife 
and  mother  resign  her  distracted  husband  and  help- 
less children  to  the  Saviour  whom  she  trusted,  in 
unshaken  faith,  and  with  feeble  smile  and  failing 
voice  express  her  willingness  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ,  spending  her  expiring  breath  in  healing 
the  breaches  of  family  discord,  and  particularly  en- 
during the  contradiction  of  sinners, — she  would  have 
seen  that  Religion,  true  Religion,  is  the  worship 
of  the  heart;  the  resignation,  not  the  abandonment 

of  God's  best  gifts." She  thus  wrote  to  her 

friend  in  Baltimore. 

MY  DEAR , 

It  has  been  long  since  I  have  written  to  you,  but 
the  purport  of  this  letter  will  explain  to  you  without 
words  why  it  has  been  so.  Some  time  since,  my 

friends  at  West  River  wrote  me  that  G had 

said  if  I  wished  to  come  to  Baltimore  and  take  a 
day-school,  I  could  get  a  good  school  at  once. 


OF  MISS  MAHGAKET  MERCEK.  157 

I  then  thought  1  might  struggle  through  here,  and 
every  year  brings  with  it  such  a  precious  little 
tithe  offering  to  God  from  my  flock,  that  I  have 
been  most  reluctant  to  resign  my  charge.  But  it 
seems  to  me  at  present  to  be  so  manifestly  my  duty, 
that  if  I  can  accomplish  it  I  will  at  once  give  up. 
I  have  had  repeated  invitations  to  go  to  Richmond, 
and  there  is"  now  a  very  favourable  opening  in  that 
place,  but  home  and  friends  are  strong  attractions 
for  the  exile  who  has  been  so  long  freezing  in  the 
Kamskatka  I  am  in.  The  desire  of  my  heart  is  to 
have  a  small  house  out  of  the.  bustle,  with  a  breath 
of  air,  and  a  few  flowers  out  of  doors,  room  enough 
for  my  family  within,  and  a  school-house  discon- 
nected, with  three  or  four  class  rooms.  I  should 
then  be  fixed  perfectly  to  my  mind,  especially  if  I 
were  within  reach  of  some  quiet,  humble-minded, 
low-church  preacher,  who  knew  nothing  among  his 
people  but  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified.  To  feed 
the  lambs  of  Christ's  flock,  and  lead  them  by  the 
still  and  living  waters  of  a  pure  faith  is  all  the  desire 
of  my  heart.  Does  it  not  grieve  your  heart,  dear 

,  to  see  ecclesiastical  pride  and  arrogance  lording 

it  over  God's  heritage?  I  have  not  been  Well  lately, 
and  my  spirits  are  languid.  Pecuniary  matters  press 
harder  and  harder  upon  me,  and  when,  over- 
whelmed by  the  waves  of  temporal  and  personal 
griefs,  I  fly  to  the  ark  for  refuge,  and  think  to  re- 
joice in  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  I  look  around  in 
14 


158  A  MEMOIR 

vain — all  is  confusion,  strife,  and  every  evil  work. 
But  no  more  than  Julian  succeeded  in  building  up 
again  the  temple  which  God  had  cast  down,  shall 
these  aspirants  to  divine  rights  succeed  in  rebuild- 
ing that  which  the  blessed  Reformation  cast  down 
b}r  the  power  of  the  same  God.  I  wish  you  could 
be  here  next  Sabbath.  Six  of  my  pupils  expect  lo 
unite  themselves  to  the  company  of  God's  faithful 
people,  in  the  communion  of  Christ,  our  passover. 
They  expected  to  have  been  confirmed,  but  Bishop 
Meade  having  been  prevented  coming,  they  will 
unite  in  the  sacrament.  I  know  you  would  be 
pleased  with  my  school.  There  is  a  gentle,  serene, 
and  kind  spirit  reigning  in  it  which  would  suit  you. 

Even has  come  greatly  under  the  influence  of 

it.  It  will  be  a  sad  day  to  many  when  I  break  up 
here,  but  it  must  be  done,  and  if  so,  the  sooner  the 

better.  Write  to  me,  dear ,  candidly,  your 

opinion  of  the  prospect  of  my  succeeding  in  Balti- 
more." 

At  the  instigation  of  Miss  Mercer's  nearest  rela- 
tive, a  maternal  maiden  aunt  to  whom  she  was  much 
attached,  the  friend  thus  addressed  wrote  to  her  in 
reply,  urging  the  entire  abandonment  of  her  engage- 
ments, and  expressing  the  desire  of  her  aunt  that 
she  should  spend  the  remainder  of  her  days  with 
her;  Miss  M.  thus  replies: 

"No,  my  dear ,  I  have  no  feeling  but  of 

warm  gratitude  for  your  kind  interest  in  my  wel- 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         159 

fare,  and  could  I  take  your  advice  and  sell  out  here, 
I  should  certainly  do  it,  but  that  is  much  easier  to 
plan  than  to  execute.  One  prosperous  year  of  my 
school  would  make  me  independent,  or  nearly  so, 
but  the  evil  is  in  waiting  for  that.  It  would  take  a 
little  volume  to  describe  my  situation  to  you  on 
paper.  Were  you  here,  you  would  see  a  whole 
neighbourhood  depending  on  me  for  support,  and 
that  many  plans  of  improvement  for  this  most  de- 
solate region  would  be  Brushed  by  my  leaving  here. 
You  would  find  a  lovely  family  of  five  motherless 
children,  sweetly  fixed,  well  trained,  and  happy,  in 
their  retired  country  home,  who  would  have  no  pro- 
tection, were  I  to  give  them  up.  Dear  M ,  could 

you  be  here  one  day,  you  would  understand  why  I 
have  struggled  on,  and  endured  the  griefs  and  mor- 
tifications of  my  lot  rather  than  move.  I  have  al- 
ways felt  it  as  a  source  of  satisfaction  to  me  that  it 
pleases  God  to  give  me  day  by  day  my  daily  bread, 
and  I  have  no  desire  for  a  lot  in  the  land,  but  I  have 
every  reason  to  believe  that  my  occupation  is  an  ap- 
pointment of  God,  since  He  has  so  richly  blessed 

my.  school Were  I  to  give  up  my  school,  I 

should  certainly  take  employment  in  some  one  else's 
school,  and  still  devote  myself  to  the  service  of  God 
in  the  education  of  the  children  of  God." 

It  was  amid  such  difficulties  and  labours,  that  the 
last  few  years  of  Miss  Mercer's  life  were  passed, 
devoted  with  untiring  assiduity,  and  ever  increasing 


1GO  A  MEMOIR 

self-denial  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  duties  of 
the  mission  to  which  she  was  appointed.  The  in- 
cidents of  one  clay  were  but  the  type  of  those  of  the 
next,  and  her  life  passed  in  a  ceaseless  round  of  di- 
ligent discharge  of  sacred  occupations.  The  num- 
ber of  her  pupils  fluctuated  from  year  to  year,  under 
influences  which  operated  upon  the  country  at  large. 
In  times  of  prosperity  it  was  great,  while  commer- 
cial or  agricultural  difficulties  were  felt  in  the  di- 
minution of  her  classes.  ^ 

Whilst  she  ever  bestowed  a  just  degree  of  atten- 
tion on  those  branches  of  study  which  are  considered 
essential  to  the  formation  of  the  character  of  a  cul- 
tivated and  intelligent  female,  she  still  continued  to 
regard  the  development  of  the  Christian  affections, 
and  the  formation  of  intelligent  piety  as  the  one 
point  of  essential  importance,  convinced  that  the 
great  hold  of  religion  is  upon  the  affections,  and 
that  the  appeal  of  the  Creator  in  the  word  of  God, 
"  My  son,  give  me  thine  heart,"  is  made  with  a 
certain  knowledge  of  the  constitution  of  that  being 
whose  nature  he  has  organized.  She  thought  with 
Pascal — the  inimitable  Pascal — that  "reason  acts 
slowly,  and  with  so  many  views  upon  so  many 
principles  which  it  is  necessary  should  always  be 
present,  that  it  is  perpetually  dropping  asleep,  and 
is  lost  for  want  of  having  all  its  principles  ever  pre- 
sent to  it.  The  affections  do  not  act  thus.  They 
act  instantaneously,  and  are  always  ready  for  ac- 
tion." With  this  view, "She  always  aimed  at  the 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  161 

production  of  an  impression  on  the  hearts  of  her 
pupils,  in  early  years;  knowing  that  if  this  were 
accomplished,  a  door  was  opened  through  which 
light  and  knowledge  would  flow  in  upon  the  intellect 
according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  individual 
case.  Hence  it  was  her  constant  aim  to  cultivate 
the  feeling  of  piety,  of  religiousness,  as  it  has  been 
termed  by  a  late  able  writer,  in  place  of  filling  the 
understanding,  merely,  with  abstract  propositions, 
which  can  exert  no  influence  except  upon  the  head. 

But  on  this  as  on  other  subjects,  we  may  permit 
her  to  express  her  own  views.  At  a  very  early 
period  in  her  career  of  teaching,  she  thus  addresses 
the  mother  of  two  of  her  pupils: 

"I  have  many  times  since  the  girls  returned  to 

school  thought,  my  dear  Mrs. ,  of  writing  to 

you;  for,  although  standing  nearly  in  the  relation  of 
a  stranger  to  you,  I  have  it  perhaps  in  my  power  to 
offer  the  sweetest  consolation  to  your  heart,  in  the 
assurances  of  esteem  and  approbation  which  I  can 
so  justly  bestow  upon  your  precious  children. 

"I  wish  I  could  tell  you,  or  rather  I  wish  1  could 
make  you  conscious  without  telling  you,  how  dear 
to  me,  how  undeviatingly  correct,  how  attentive  to 
their  duties  and  observant  of  my  wishes,  how  amia- 
ble to  their  young  companions,  and  how  deeply 
impressed  with  the  solemn  and  affecting  truths  of 

religion  they  both,  but  especially ,  have  been 

since  the  death  of  their  beloved  brother. 
14* 


162  A  MEMOIR 

"Her  father  and  yourself  will,  I  am  convinced, 
have  the  highest  and  most  exquisite  source  of  en- 
joyment open  to  you  in  the  development  of  her 
mind  and  heart;  she  has  a  fine  intellect,  cheerful 
temper,  generous  and  affectionate  heart,  and  an  ele- 
vation of  spirit  which  will  lead  her  to  higher  walks 
of  thought  and  feeling,  than  those  of  the  low-minded 
and  sordid  world  who  pursue  their  soulless  course, 

" '  With  leaden  eyes  that  love  the  ground.' 

"  Happy,  thrice  happy  will  her  lot  be !  For  even 
could  we  for  one  moment  believe  that  the  hopes  of 
religion  were  not  to  be  realized  in  another  world; 
yet,  I  am  persuaded  that  the  expectations  of  one,  pos- 
sessed of  genuine  Christian  faith,  produce  the  most 
exquisite  bliss  of  which  the  human  heart  is  suscepti- 
ble; and  the  degree  of  purity  which  is  the  necessary 
consequence  of  constantly  aiming  at  a  perfect  stan- 
dard of  purity,  opens  a  thousand  sources  of  enjoy- 
ment, and  closes  a  thousand  avenues  of  pain  to  the 
heart. 

"  When  I  think  what  a  heavenly  state  life  would 
be,  if  the  modesty,  charity,  purity,  and  elevation  of 
soul  of  the  true  disciple  of  Christ  presided  in  every 
heart,  I  feel  as  if  every  energy  I  possessed  must  be 
put  into  requisition,  and  all  were  loo  little  for  the 
object  I  have  to  effect,  which  is,  to  make  these  pre- 
cious charges  of  mine  not  only  happy  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  only  source  of  unfailing  felicity,  but  use- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        163 

ful  in  communicating  the  same  blessing  to  those 
who  are  found  within  the  sphere  of  this  influence." 
Amid  all  the  trials  and  distresses  incident  to  her 
condition  at  Belmont,  she  thus  writes  to  one  of  her 
friends:  ".Soon  after  I  came  home  I  found  a  great 
seriousness  growing  among  my  scholars,  and  I  have 
been  entirely  devoted  to  that  subject  for  three  weeks 
past.  I  wish  I  could  describe  the  scenes  I  have 
had  here  around  me.  It  pleased  God  on  Sunday, 
the  28th  of  May,  to  send  us  truly  a  shower  of  bless- 
ing; no  less  than  ten  of  my  pupils  seemed  suddenly, 
and  without  any  visible  means  sufficient  to  satisfy 
our  minds,  to  be  occupied  with  a  sense  of  sin.  The 
movement  was  not  noticed  on  my  part  or  that  of 
any  other,  and  yet  it  continued  to  go  on,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  week  two  others  came  in,  and  certainly 
to  all  present  appearances  they  are  changed  creatures. 

I  see  thus  far  no  change  for  the  worse.     Dear , 

if  3rou  but  knew  how  I  feel  while  I  see  as  it  were  the 
immortal  soul  struggling  into  being!  I  dare  not 
touch  the  work  which  God  is  so  manifestly  doing 
himself.  I  fear  to  speak,  and  I  fear  not  to  speak,  I 
^am  walking  softly  before  God.  I  feel  as  though  He 
had  said,  <  Wait  and  thou  shalt  see  the  salvation  of 
the  Lord.'  <  Be  still  and  know  that  I  am  God.'  Oh, 
pray  with  me,  and  for  me.  What  is  the  whole  world 
in  comparison  with  one  of  these  little  ones?  If  you 
could  but  see  how  sweet  these  dear  children  are!  I 
have  not  time  to  write  to-day,  but  I  long  to  hear  from 


164  A  MEMOIR 

you.  Have  you  read  D'Aubigne's  History  of  the  Re- 
formation? What  a  fascinating  book  it  is.  I  have 
volumes  to  say  about  many  things,  but  I  cannot 
think  of  any  thing,  scarcely,  except  the  blessing  of 
God,  which  He  has  so  mercifully  sent  to  compensate 
me  for  my  many  troubles  and  perplexities.  These 
are  not  abated,  but  their  bitterness  is  taken  away." 
This  was  written  in  one  of  the  earlier  years  of 
her  residence  at  Belmont,  and  the  close  of  her  ca- 
reer of  duty  was  marked  by  an  effort  perfectly  in 
accordance  with  her  previous  walk.  The  duties  of 
the  school  were  to  be  brought  to  a  conclusion  for 
the  year,  at  the  end  of  July,  and  on  the  20th  of 
June,  1846,  we  find  her  thus  addressing  Bishop 
Meade. 

RT.  REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR, — 

I  have  been  hoping  through  the  year  that  you 
would  have  been  able  to  make  some  appointment 
to  visit  us  at  Belmont  before  the  close  of  my  school, 
but  learning  how  indifferent  your  health  was,  I  had 
nearly  abondoned  the  hope,  when  I  was  informed  I 
might  still  look  for  you,  and  immediately  announced 
the  intelligence  to  my  children,  who  have  indeed 
been  hungering  and  thirsting  for  the  regular  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel.  As  Js  usual,  a  marked  serious- 
ness has  followed  the  year's  exercises,  and  it  wanted 
but  a  spark  to  touch  the  kindling  spirits,  and  the 
flame  was  ready  to  burst  forth.  Dear  Mr.  Adie  has 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         165 

by  the  wisdom  and  power  of  God  been  withdrawn 
for  a  season  from  his  office,  and  we  are  about  to 
disperse  for  the  vacation,  without  one  being  added 
to  the  visible  church,  although  I  trust  and  believe 
that  several  have  been  received  into  the  Covenant 
of  grace.  Mr.  Andrews  promised  certainly  to  be 
with  us  in  May,  but  I  have  not  even  heard  from 
him.  What  would  I  not  give  for  a  few  hours'  visit 
from  you  and  him  during  the  next  ten  days.  Sure 
I  am  that  it  would  be  felt  on  the  eternal  destiny  of 
some  souls,  if  you  could  come.  My  school  has 
never  been  so  well  ordered,  so  happy,  so  studious, 
and  so  gently  led  on  to  a  state  of  preparation  as 
during  this  session,  and  I  think  you  would  be  pleased 
to  spend  a  quiet  day  or  two  with  us.  Say  you  will 
come,  and  you  shall  have  undisturbed  possession  of 
a  quiet  room,  and  not  be  asked  for  any  thing  but 
your  pastoral  blessing.  Permit  me,  my  dear  sir, 
now  to  express,  what  I  have  ever  felt  and  feel  more 
and  more,  my  entire  confidence  and  veneration,  my 
gratitude,  respect,  and  sympathy  for  your  firm  and 
faithful  Christian  course  through  life,  and  which  I 
know  and  am  persuaded  will  be  unswerving  till  the 
full  effulgence  of  the  throne  of  Truth  shall  burst 
upon  your  risen  soul  in  eternal  glory.  There  is  no 
warmer  prayer  drawn  by  the  necessities  of  our  de- 
pendent nature  from  the  heart  of  your  friend  in 
Christ,  than  that  it  may  be  so." 

It  could  not,  of  course,  be  supposed,  by  any  one 


166  A  MEMOIR 

at  all  conversant  with  the  workings  of  the  human 
heart,  and  the  strength  of  that  principle  of  rebellion 
against  God,  which  ever  marks  its  actings  in  greater 
or  less  degree,  when  not  subdued  by  the  power  of 
the  Spirit,  that  all  who  were  subjected  to  her  influ- 
ence received  the  impression  of  her  character.  Her 
patience  was  often  tried,  and  her  faith  in  God's  pro- 
mises tested  by  the  perverse  opposition  of  her 
pupils  to  all  the  efforts  of  her  love,  sometimes  mani- 
fested in  open  acts  of  hostility  and  contempt,  and  at 
others  by  a  silent  resistance.  She  was  ever  ready 
to  meet  the  one  with  a  firm  and  decided  yet  affec- 
tionate exertion  of  authority,  and  to  overcome  the 
other  by  patient  continuance  in  well-doing,  and  she 
was  sometimes  permitted  to  see  the  harvest  gathered 
from  soil  the  least  promising,  even  after  all  hope  of 
such  result  had  passed  away.  Among  the  pupils  of 
her  earliest  years,  were  two  who  were  remarkable 
for  the  apparent  unimpressibility  of  their  charac- 
ters; they  left  her  school,  glorying  in  their  freedom 
from  its  control.  Years  passed  over  them,  with 
their  chequered  influences  of  joy  and  sorrow,  when 
circumstances  which  Miss  Mercer  did  not  hesitate 
to  consider  special  providences,  led  her  to  the  places 
where  they  dwelt,  just  in  time  to  witness  in  each 
the  power  of  the  principle  she  had  so  laboriously 
implanted,  to  retain  its  vitality  through  a  long  winter 
of  neglect,  and,  in  the  hour  of  need,  to  spring  up  as 
a  source  of  comfort  to  the  soul;  and  to  receive  their 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         167 

thanks  for  the  patient  efforts  she  had  made  to  imbue 
their  minds  with  truth,  which  ultimately  assumed 
dominion  over  their  hearts,  and  enabled  them  to 
depart  in  the  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality. 

We  have  thus  seen  that  from  the  commencement 
to  the  conclusion  of  her  career  as  an  instructress, 
the  same  point  had  ever  been  before  her  as  the  ob- 
ject at  which  she  aimed,  and  the  blessing  of  God  had 
rested,  year  after  year,  on  her  faithful  efforts  to  pro- 
mote the  good  of  her  pupils,  and  His  glory  amongst 
men.  It  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  turn  atten- 
tion to  the  means  employed  to  produce  so  remark- 
able a  result.  Among  these,  the  most  prominent 
place,  certainly,  is  due  to  the  influence  of  a  holy, 
consistent  example.  Her  daily,  hourly  walk  was  a 
constant  illustration  of  the  virtues  to  the  practice  of 
which  she  strove  to  draw  her  pupils.  Thus,  one  of 
those  pupils  whose  opportunities  for  observation 
have  been  large,  both  before  and  since  she  was 
brought  into  association  with  Miss  Mercer,  says: 
"  She  afforded  a  perfect  example  of  all  that  the  mere 
moralist  calls  good  and  venerable,  as  well  as  of  those 

virtues  which  are  essentially  Christian." 

"  The  influence  she  possessed  over  the  minds  of  her 
pupils  was  very  great,  which  would  certainly  have 
been  destroyed,  had  any  inconsistency  in  her  actions 
seemed  to  mock  the  power  of  that  religion  she  so 
sedulously  inculcated." 

Her  religious  instructions  were  communicated  as 


168  A  MEMOIR 

she  walked  by  the  way,  when  she  lay  down,  and 
when  she  rose  up.  Nay,  the  very  moral  atmosphere 
of  the  institution  was  redolent  of  Christian  truth. 
It  was  her  effort  to  seclude  herself  and  her  charge 
as  much  as  possible  from  every  adverse  influence. 
One  of  her  pupils,  alluding  to  this  says:  "I  once 
heard  her,  when  urged  to  receive  newspapers  into 
her  school,  reply,  with  great  warmth,  'What!  would 
they  have  me  introduce  the  world  into  my  little 
retreat,  where  my  only  enjoyment  is  found  in  being 
separate  from  all  its  noise  and  bustle?'  "  Yet  was 
her  spirit  the  furthest  possible  removed  from  mo- 
roseness  or  asceticism.  In  her  renunciation  of  the 
world,  she  never  felt  disposed  to  crush  the  joyous 
feelings  of  youth,  or  damp  the  ardour  of  that  spirit 
of  affection  by  which  we  are  bound  to  our  fellow- 
men.  She  looked  abroad  on  all  the  beauties  and 
bounties  of  Creation,  and  within,  at  the  adaptation 
of  man,  (the  crowning  work  of  the  whole  grand 
united  scheme,)  to  find  pleasure  in  the  position  in 
which  he  has  been  placed  by  Him  whose  wisdom  is 
especially  exhibited  in  the  wonderful  adaptation  of 
all  the  complex  works  of  His  hand  to  the  circum- 
stances by  which  they  are  surrounded,  and  she  strove 
rather  to  develope  the  capacity  for  enjoyment,  than 
to  curtail  it  in  its  actings.  Her  views  of  the  vanity 
and  emptiness  of  many  of  the  pursuits  by  which 
man  perverts  his  powers,  and  frustrates  his  own  de- 
signs, were,  as  we  have  seen,  very  decided.  But 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        169 

she  ever  endeavoured  to  send  forth  her  pupils, 
armed  against  the  allurements  of  false  pleasures,  by 
the  knowledge  of  a  more  excellent  way  to  a  more 
certain  and  present  joy.  As  one  of  her  pupils  re- 
marks, "  Those  whose  circumstances  cast  them  into 
general  society,  she  armed  against  its  dangers,  not 
with  superstitious  terrors,  but  with  t  the  whole  ar- 
mour of  God,'  teaching  them  that  when  the  heart  is 
right  before  God,  outward  circumstances,  whatever 
they  may  be,  only  afford  channels  through  which 
Christian  feeling  may  be  manifested  as  well  in  trifles 
as  in  greater  things." 

But  she  did  not  rely  simply  on  a  general  impres- 
sion on  the  heart.  She  was  fully  aware  of  the  im- 
portance of  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  word  of 
God,  and  a  correct  comprehension  of  its  teachings; 
and  laboured  most  assiduously  to  convey  this  know- 
ledge to  the  understanding  of  her  pupils.  For  this 
purpose  she  prepared  a  volume  of"  Studies  for  Bible 
classes,"  with  the  view,  as  she  remarks  in  the  pre- 
face to  it,  "  of  training  the  young  to  search  the 
Scriptures  of  Truth  for  the  evidence  of  those  things 
which  they  have  been  taught  by  the  Church,"  in 
order  that  they  may  "  know  the  certainty  of  the 
things  which  belong  to  their  eternal  life." 

The  lessons  were  systematically  arranged,  com- 
mencing with  the  existence  of  God,  passing  through 
the  attributes  of  the  Deity,  the  divinity  and  huma- 
nity of  Christ,  and  the  existence  and  offices  of  the 
15 


170  A  MEMOIR 

Spirit, — to  the  relations  existing  between  the  triune 
God  and  his  creatures,  and  embracing  the  various 
duties  from  man  to  God  and  his  fellow,  growing  out 
of  those  relations.  A  text  on  each  subject  was  fur- 
nished as  a  key  note,  and  the  pupils,  provided  with 
a  reference  Bible  and  Concordance,  were  .required 
to  "  search  out  correlative  texts,  examine,  compare, 
and  transcribe  them."  When  these  were  submitted 
to  her,  she  made  them  the  occasion  for  questions, 
by  which  to  elicit  the  extent  of  their  knowledge, 
and  the  character  of  their  impressions  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  lesson;  and  entered  into  such  explanations 
and  exhortations  as  were  appropriate,  taking  care 
that  they  should  not  be  misled  by  mere  literal  con- 
nexion. The  manner  in  which  she  discharged  this 
duty  was  impressive  in  the  highest  degree.  Her 
long-tried,  faithful,  and  sympathizing  friend  and 
fellow-worker,  Miss  Condy,  thus  speaks  of  her 
mode  of  communicating  religious  instruction: 

"  It  would  be  almost  impossible  to  give  to  any 
but  a  member  of  dear  Miss  Mercer's  family  circle 
an  idea  of  her  value  to  her  household  generally, 
and  of  the  importance  of  her  instructions  to  those 
placed  particularly  under  her  charge.  It  was  in  the 
familiarity  of  social  converse,  after  the  labours  of 
the  school,  in  the  hours  of  recreation,  when  all, 
teachers  and  scholars,  sought  her  society,  that  some 
of  her  most  valuable  lessons  were  given,  and  ren- 
dered so  attractive  by  her  peculiarly  affectionate, 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        171 

though  always  impressive  manner,  that  but  few 
failed  to  listen  to  and  profit  by  her  most  casual  re- 
marks. But  never  did  she  appear  so  interesting  to 
us  as  when  engaged  in  the  duties  of  the  Sabbath. 
Her  health  for  some  time  was  too  delicate  to  admit 
of  her  rising  at  the  early  hour  appointed  for  the  en- 
tering upon  our  week-day  duties;  but  she  never 
failed,  if  tolerably  well,  to  be  with  us  on  Sunday 
morning.  She  would  read  to  us  an  interesting  por- 
tion of  scripture,  generally  from  the  Psalms,  and 
then  point  our  attention  to  some  striking  passage, 
in  such  an  earnest  and  solemn  manner,  that  the  most 
thoughtless  could  not  escape  reflection.  Her  Bible 
class  was  remarkably  interesting, — her  little  book 
will  give  some  idea  how  it  was  conducted.  The 
clergymen  who  have  occasionally  visited  Belmont 
have  been  edified  and  much  pleased  with  this  mode 
of  instructing  her  pupils  in  the  essential  doctrines 
of  the  church.  Never  did  her  mind  seem  so  free 
from  all  worldly  care  and  anxiety,  her  countenance 
appear  so  bright  and  cheerful,  or  her  intellect  so  ac- 
tive, as  on  the  Sabbath,  which  she  devoted  exclu- 
sively to  spiritual  concerns  and  duties.  I  have 
known  her  to  be  so  exhausted  when  the  hour  for 
retirement  came,  by  her  efforts  for  the  good  of  her 
pupils  on  that  day,  as  to  remain  for  some  time  to 
all  appearance  lifeless.  This  shows  what  extreme 
delicacy  of  constitution  she  had  to  contend  with 
through  all  her  arduous  labours. 


172  A  MEMOIR 

"We  miss  our  dear  Miss  Mercer  every  hour  in 
the  day;  our  thoughts  and  hearts  are  ever  dwelling 
upon  the  recollection  of  all  she  was  to  us — of  all  we 
have  lost  with  her.  But  on  the  Sabbath,  how  we 
long  for  her  blessed  presence!  'Rest,  rest,'  have  I 
often  heard  her  beg  for,  and  can  we  wish  her  back 
in  this  unquiet  world? 

"  She  often  repeated,  and  admired  much,  one  of 
Charles  Wesley's  hymns,  in  a  little  collection  called 
*  Village  Hymns.'  One  verse  I  often  heard  her 
repeat: — 

'  This  languishing  head  is  at  rest, 
Its  thinking  and  aching  are  o'er, 
This  quiet,  immovable  breast 
Is  heav'd  by  affliction  no  more.'  " 

The  following  letter  is  among  the  latest  expres- 
sions of  her  feeling  addressed  to  a  very  intimate 
friend. 

Belmont,  August  31st,  1846. 

"I  long  for  rest  of  mind  and  body,  and  sincerely 
wish  1  could  be  with  you  again,  but  next  week  my 
labours  open  upon  me;  I  must  use  all  my  energies. 
Sincerely  do  I  pray  that  God  would  raise  up  some 
one  to  take  my  place,  and  let  me  enter  into  my  rest. 

"  I  have  been  severely  tried  by  the  sudden  and 

rapid  progress  of  dear 's  illness;  it  came  on  me 

like  a  thunder-clap,  but  God's  will  be  done.  The 
attack  on  my  lungs  last  winter  has  had  an  effect 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  173 

upon  my  arms  and  hands  that  prevents  my  writing 
much. 

"Indeed,  dear  M.,  I  feel  a  very  sensible  failure 
from  year  to  year.  I  look  forward  with  intense 
desire  for  the  rest  that  is  our  blessed  heritage.  Ever 
the  same,  and  entirely  yours.  M.  MERCER." 

Miss  Coxe,  of  Cincinnati,  having  addressed  a  let- 
ter to  Miss  Mercer,  inquiring  as  to  her  method  of 
communicating  religious  instruction,  Miss  Mercer 
replies: 

DEAR  MADAM, — 

I  have  just  returned  home  after  an  absence  of 
some  weeks,  as  this  is  my  vacation,  and  urged  by 
the  consciousness  that  my  abilities  to  do  good  are 
far  on  their  wane,  I  hasten  to  show  my  willingness 
to  strengthen  the  hands  of  one  who  I  trust  is  des- 
tined to  much  usefulness. 

That  God  has  often  visited  my  school  with  an 
outpouring  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  that  many,  many 
dear  pupils  have  been  added  to  the  true  church 
from  it,  I  most  thankfully  acknowledge;  but  by 
what  means  the  divine  work  has  been  accomplished 
I  cannot  pretend  to  say.  My  own  view  of  the  sub- 
ject is,  that  by  patient  and  prayerful  waiting  upon 
the  use  of  the  Scriptures,  searching  them  faithfully 
as  the  source  of  truth,  and  watching  to  make  the 
appointed  use  of  every  varying  providence  that  each 
15* 


174  A  MEMOIK 

hour  brings  forth,  I  have  been  taught  to  look  to 
Christ,  and  to  Him  alone  myself,  and  thus  being 
taught,  I  have  been  enabled  to  teach  others. 

Added  to  this  deep  impression  of  knowing  no- 
thing among  men  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  Him  cruci- 
fied, I  have  adopted  more  system  than  is  generally 
used  in  teaching  religion,  and  as  system  is,  1  believe, 
always  more  perfect  as  it  is  more  simple,  I  have 
attempted  scarcely  any  thing  but  to  train  them  to 
"  search  the  scriptures"  for  themselves,  by  a  method 
which  I  will  presently  explain. 

To  comply  as  well  as  possible  with  your  request, 
I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  transmitting  to  you  my 
first  and  only  effort  at  authorship.  The  "Ethics," 
you  will  readily  see,  have  no  other  aim  but  to  draw 
the  attention  of  my  pupils  to  the  truth,  that  morality 
is  the  law  of  God,  and  to  be  found  pure  only  in  the 
Bible.  The  arrangement  of  the  little  volume  of 
Bible  studies  you  will  understand.  Our  Sabbath 
occupations  are  light;  we  keep  late  hours  on  that 
holy  day,  and  I  willingly  admit  the  plea  of  servants 
and  children  that  it  is  a  day  of  rest  for  those  who 
have  laboured  during  the  week.  This  I  concede, 
because  I  find  it  very  difficult  to  command  the  at- 
tention, and  regulate  the  animal  spirits  of  children 
during  a  long  day.  Before  breakfast  the  girls  re- 
cite verses  and  hymns;  after  breakfast  we  study  the 
Bible  lesson,  which  comes  in  regular  succession  ac- 
cording to  the  direction  of  the  manual.  We  have 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  175 

% 

always  a  Sabbath-School,  in  which  the  teachers  and 
some  of  the  young  ladies  engage  as  instructors.     We 
have  either  morning  or  evening  service,  as  we  are 
favoured  with  public  worship  or  not.     When  we 
have  no  minister,  we  read  the  evening  service  and 
a  sermon,  devoting  the  morning  to  Bible  studies, 
reading,  teaching,  and  good  books.     In  the  evening, 
before  prayers,  we  recite  the  Bible  lesson,  in  which, 
as  each  young  person  reads  in  regular  succession 
the  texts  searched  out,  I  make  such  remarks  as  I 
think  expedient;  for  instance,  if  I  find  a  text  irrele- 
vant, I  take  the  opportunity  of  making  use  of  it  to 
instruct  incidentally  upon  some  other  point.     Thus, 
I  say,  I  think  you  have  mistaken  the  import  of  your 
text;  it  relates  to  such  a  subject,  and  means  so  and 
so;  and  by  the  by,  we  teachers  all  know  how  often 
this    indirect    instruction,    coming    as    suggestion, 
makes  much  more  impression  than  if  direct.     If  a 
text  is  read,  which  gives  me  the  opportunity  to  do 
so,  I  seize  it,  to  urge  more  strongly  upon  them  a 
doctrine  which   they  do  not  appreciate,  or  a  duty 
which  they  have  neglected.     Some  of  our  lessons 
are  continued  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath;  that  on  the 
divinity  of  our  Lord  occupies  us  six  Sabbaths,  and 
I  have  never  been  more  thankful  for  a  privilege 
than  for  that  of  having  so  studied  it  for  their  sakes. 
I  never  doubted  the  divinity  of  our  Lord,  but  I  had 
no  idea  of  the  mass  of  evidence  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, nor  of  the  force  of  His  appeal,  "  They  are 


176  A  MEMOIR 

they  that  testify  of  me."  After  our  Bible  lesson, 
the  day  is  closed  by  evening  prayer,  in  which  I 
have  been  always  in  the  habit  of  reading  a  chapter 
and  selecting  some  important  texts,  generally  bear- 
ing upon  the  subject  of  the  Bible  lesson,  which  I 
enforce  by  the  strongest  comments  I  can  make.  We 
always  sing  in  family  prayers. 

Thus  you  see,  dear  madam,  there  is  nothing  new 
in  the  means  God  uses  with  us,  except  the  studying 
separate  subjects  in  our  Bible  lessons;  and  this  I 
adopted  because  I  have  often  heard  very  good  per- 
sons maintain  such  very  unscriptural  opinions,  appa- 
rently because  they  had  not  made  the  Bible  its 
own  expositor,  on  such  points,  and  compared  all 
correlative  texts.  If  you  do  me  the  honour  to  read 
my  little  volume  of  Ethics,  will  you  kindly  read  to 
the  end  before  you  criticise,  and  then  return  and 
review  such  parts  as  do  not  meet  your  approbation, 
and  express  fully  and  freely  your  views  to  me,  as  I 
may  ere  long  revise  it  for  republication. 

I  had  once  the  pleasure  of  riding  from  church 
with  Bishop  M'llvaine.*  I  shall  never  forget  it,  and 
if  he  will  accept  them,  pray  present  my  most  re- 
spectful regards  to  him.  The  blessing  of  God  is 
upon  his  labours,  and  will  be  so.  I  shall  be  happy 
again  to  be  refreshed  by  your  zeal  in  the  first  of  all 
causes — Christian  education, 

And  remain,  dear  madam,  yours  truly, 

-,'j|ht.  M.  MERCER. 

*  Miss  Coxc  is  a  near  connexion  of  the  Bishop  of  Ohio. 


OF  MJSS  MARGARET  MERCER.  177 

The  volume  of  Ethics  to  which  Miss  Mercer  here 
alludes,  is  one  of  the  most  important  results  of  her 
k  labour.  It  is  in  the  form  of  lectures  to  young  ladies, 
which  she  employed  as  a  text-book  in  her  instruc- 
tions in  moral  philosophy.  It  is  admirably  adapted 
to  its  purpose,  conveying  in  chaste,  yet  glowing 
language  the  feelings  of  a  sanctified  heart.  She 
adopts  the  word  of  God  as  the  only  source  of 
knowledge,  as  well  of  the  practical  duties  of  life, 
as  of  our  relations  to  the  Author  of  our  being,  and 
endeavours  to  explain  and  enforce  the  principles 
there  laid  down  for  the  formation  of  character,  and 
the  government  of  life.  It  is  a  work  well  worthy 
of  the  diligent  study  of  every  woman  who  desires 
to  attain  to  a  high  degree  of  moral  worth. 
She  thus  opens  her  instructions. 

MY  VERY  DEAR  YOUNG  FRIENDS: 

Bright  and  glorious  is  the  morn  of  life,  when 
youth  and  inexperience  launch  their  light  bark  upon 
the  sparkling  tide  of  a  new  existence.  Their  broad 
pennon  bears,  in  its  silken  folds,  hope  on  the  wing~ 
pursuing  distant  pleasures;  their  bright  streamers 
flutter  in  the  stirring  breeze,  revealing  curious  de- 
vices of  anticipated  joys;  the  spray  casts  around  the 
vessel's  prow  showers  of  diamonds;  the  dipping  oars 
send  back,  on  the  circling  waves,  patines  of  bur- 
nished silver,  and  flashes  of  living  gold;  and  softly, 
as  the  receding  waters  close  behind  the  stern,  they 


178  A  MEMOIR 

murmur  a  gentle,  kind  adieu.  Life  is  then  all 
poetry — all  pleasure;  and  well  do  the  aged  remem- 
ber the  magic  power  of  youthful  feelings  and  ima-  ' 
ginations,  and  what  a  dazzling  glow  their  own  en- 
thusiasm spread  over  the  sober  realities  of  life.  But 
far  from  the  promised  haven  for  which  they  sailed 
is  the  shore  where  their  brokeYi  voyage  has  ended. 
Many  and  sorrowful  have  been  the  shipwrecks 
which  they  have  witnessed:  gay  hearts  swept  away 
before  the  receding  tide  of  fate;  confident  spirits 
sunk  in  the  raging  deep,  or  dashed  on  the  rocky 
coast  of  disappointment  and  despair.  To  one  who 
thus  looks  back  upon  the  sad  vicissitudes  of  a  past 
life,  there  is  something  deeply  affecting  in  the  un- 
conscious mirth  of  the  young,  sporting  heedlessly 
on  the  verge  of  an  ocean  of  trouble,  upon  which 
they  are  but  too  willing  to  embark,  without  rudder 
and  without  compass. 

To  furnish  you,  before  you  commence  your  voy- 
age, with  th'e  means  of  descrying  approaching  dan- 
ger, and  of  protecting  yourselves  from  the  fate  of 
the  inconsiderate  and  the  ignorant,  is  my  present 
aim.  To  dangers  you  must  be  exposed.  May  you, 
from  the  experience  of  others,  learn  in  time  so  to 
direct  your  course  as  to  exalt  you  to  honour  and 
usefulness,  to  the  favour  of  God  and  of  man;  to  the 
portion  of  happiness  which  is  destined  for  the  good 
here,  and  to  that  perfect  bliss  which  is  reserved  for 
the  virtuous  hereafter.  Let  me  prevail  with  you  to 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        179 

lay  aside  the  levity  natural  to  your  time  of  life,  and 
allow  me  to  command  your  attention,  your  deep 
and  serious  attention,  while  I  endeavour  to  explain 
to  you  the  principles  of  that  science  which  has  for 
its  object  the  happiness  and  the  perfection  of  the  hu- 
man soul:  for  moral  philosophy  may  be  defined  the 
science  of  human  happiness  and  virtue.  The  term 
moral,  strictly  speaking,  signifies  what  belongs  to 
conduct.  Philosophy  (more  than  mere  science) 
means  the  love  of  knowledge.  The  beautiful  sig- 
nificancy  of  the  term  moral  philosophy,  then,  should 
not.be  lost  sight  of.  It  means  the  love  of  that  prac- 
tical wisdom,  which,  if  pursued  aright,  and  with 
ardour,  leads  to  every  thing  that  is  noble  and  virtu- 
ous, lovely,  and  of  good  report;  and  aids  in  preparing 
the  soul  for  heaven,  by  saving  it  below  from  the 
contagion  of  folly  and  vice. 

Since  our  object  is  always  to  lead  the  mind  up  to 
God,  and  to  promote  gratitude  and  devotion  to  him, 
we  will  now  pause  and  survey  the  wonderful  palace, 
with  its  vaulted  roof,  where  the  mind  sits  supreme, 
and  listens  to  the  wonders  reported  by  his  alert  and 
skilful  ministers,  the  senses.  What  is  there  that  the 
human  mind  cannot  compass  by  their  aid?  No  cu- 
rious object  of  rare  and  beautiful  in  the  mineral,  ve- 
getable or  animal  kingdom,  from  the  elephant  to 
the  mite,  can  escape  the  scrutiny  of  the  naturalist. 
Does  he  not  see  another  world  existing  around  us? 
The  most  transparent  atmosphere,  the  crystal  foun- 


180  A  MEMOIR 

tain,  the  petals  of  a  little  flower,  are  they  not  to  him 
redolent  of  life  in  all  its  exquisite  variety  of  ani- 
mated being?  How  he  hangs  over  the  delicate 
mimosa,  and  wonders  to  see  it  shrink  from  his  deli- 
cate touch,  as  if  modesty  informed  it.  From  the 
palms  and  banyans  of  the  tropics,  to  the  firs  and 
'mosses  of  the  arctic  regions,  he  cons,  and  compares, 
and  describes,  and  names  them  all.  All — from  the 
adamantine  centre  round  which  our  earth  concen- 
trates, to  the  orient  pearl  brought  from  the  ocean 
depths,  to  the  gold  and  gems  from  the  mountain 
heights — all  fills  his  wondering  soul  with  rapturous 
praise.  But  chiefly  the  infinite  beauty  of  insects, 
shell-fish,  flowers,  and,  above  all,  birds  excite  his 
soul  to  indescribable  emotions  of  delight.  If  God 
had  given  me*but  sight,  and  offered  me  no  other 
object  of  vision  but  the  little  ruby-breasted  hum- 
ming-bird, hanging,  as  I  have  often  seen  him,  over 
the  pensile  flowers  of  the  graceful  scarlet  fuchsia, 
lifting  them  one  by  one  to  insert  his  long  bill  in 
quest  of  his  delicate  food,  I  could  not  contemplate 
this  single  evidence  of  the  wisdom,  power  and  good- 
ness of  the  Deity,  without  being  raised,  refined  and 
purified.  But  the  little  gem  of  animated  nature 
glances  athwart  my  view,  like  the  coloured  spec- 
trum of  the  solar  beatns  cast  by  the  moving  prism; 
and  I  have  but  time  to  realize  that  he  is  a  living 
creature,  with  flesh,  and  bones,  and  skin,  a  heart  and 
lungs,  a  beautiful  arched  head  with  senses  like  my 


OF  MISS  MAKGABET  MEBCJ3R.  181 

own — when  borne  on  his  fine,  light,  flexible  wings 
to  a  far  height  above  the  earth  to  which  I  cling,  his 
keen  eye   penetrates  the  distance   to  where  fresh 
flowers  are  blooming,  and  there,  as  odorous  vapours 
circle  round  his  head,  he  darts  from  cup  to  cup,  and 
sips  the  honeyed  stores,  and  hastens  on  to  seek  new 
pleasures.     Would  you  know  how  these  delightful 
images  are  communicated  to  the  mind.     Examine, 
then,  the  eye.     First,  see  how  the  precious  instru- 
ment of  vision  is  folded  to  rest  at  night;  even  the 
sun  himself  withdraws  his  light  for  a  season,  that 
the  wearied  sight  of  men,  and  beasts,  and  birds  may 
rest,  and  be  refreshed.     Folded  in  its  fringed  cur- 
tains, it  lies  unconscious  of  the  world  around,  until 
stimulated  by  the  returning  light,  the  windows  are 
once  more  opened,  and  day  pours  in,  bringing  with 
it  all  that  the  endless  variety  of  symmetrical  forms 
and  harmonious  colours  of  nature  can  offer  to  en- 
chant the  mind.     But  how  is  all  the  immense  space 
before  us,  the  great  concave  of  the  heavens,  with  all 
i.ts    glories,   and    the    wide-spreading    earth,    with 
oceans,  rivers,  mountains,  valleys,  plains  and  cities, 
brought  distinctly  within  the  compass  of  the  visual 
orb  ?     By  simple  laws,  my  dear  children,  with  which 
it  belongs  to  another  department  of  your  education 
to  make  you  acquainted.     I  will  only  say  here,  that 
certain  lenses  receive  the  rays  of  light  which  come 
from  every  point  of  all  the  various  objects  of  sight 
before  you,  and  refraction  concentrates  them,  so  as 
15 


182  A  MEMOIR 

to  bring  them  to  a  focus  on  the  retina,  which  is  the 
interior  surface  of  a  dark  chamber,  prepared  to  ex- 
clude all  light,  except  that  which  enters  through 
the  lenses  to  which  is  committed  the  office  of  ar- 
ranging the  objects  of  vision  in  their  perfect  order. 
Thus  far  we  have  an  apparatus  for  sight.  The  ca- 
mera obscura  in  our  library  is  made  in  imitation  of 
it,  to  receive  and  reflect  the  images  of  external  ob- 
jects; but  here  we  must  stop  in  our  investigation  of 
the  theory  of  vision.  How  these  pictures  on  the 
retina  are  conveyed  to  the  mind,  and  preserved  in 
the  memory,  we  know  not.  The  impressions  made 
by  them  on  the  mind  have  been  called  ideas;  but, 
lately,  the  hypothesis  to  which  this  term  belongs 
has  been  rejected.  For  myself,  I  have  much  reve- 
rence for  it;  and  I  do  believe  that  the  images  formed 
on  the  retina  may,  by  a  similar  process,  be  again  re- 
flected and  contracted  to  smaller  and  smaller  spectra, 
until  reduced,  like  the  elementary  particles  of  mat- 
ter, to  such  dimensions  that  there  may  be  whole 
galleries  of  painting  in  the  palace  of  memory,  land- 
scapes, buildings,  portraits,  historical  pictures;  what- 
ever the  mind's  eye  hath  seen  worth  treasuring  up. 
And  from  such  a  process  we  might  find  the  solution 
of  the  enigma  of  objects  being  inverted  on  the  re- 
tina, and  yet  never  so  seen.  But  you  have  much 
to  study  upon  the  subject  of  the  senses.  The  ear 
is  quite  as  curious  as  the  eye,  being  constructed  to 
communicate  sounds;  the  interior  structure  resem- 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  183 

blmg  musical  instruments,  and  the  whole  being  co- 
vered with  a  thin  membrane,  through  which  the 
vibrations  of  the  atmosphere,  produced  by  different 
sounds,  come  in  contact  with  the  nerves  of  the  ear, 
and  convey  a  corresponding  impression  to  the  mind. 
Immediately  connected  with,  and  dependent  upon 
the  sense  of  hearing,  is  the  power  of  speech,  the 
noblest  faculty  of  man.  In  vain  would  the  flexible 
tubes  of  the  throat  have  been  attached  to  the  elastic 
chest  of  the  lungs;  "the  ready,  swift  and  tuneful 
tongue  "  would  have  been  mute  for  ever,  had  the 
ear  not  received  and  aided  the  mind  in  the  arrange- 
ment of  articulate  sounds  into  language.  Smelling 
and  taste  are  conveyed  in  the  same  way,  by  the 
nerves  of  their  peculiar  organs.  But  the  wonderful 
office  of  the  senses  is  in  conveying  abstract  thought 
from  one  mind  to  another — even  from  one  genera- 
tion to  another:  so  that,  by  a  glance  of  the  eye,  or 
an  inclination  of  the  ear,  we  are  able  to  hold  high 
converse  with  the  ancient  world,  to  know  the 
thoughts  of  our  first  parents,  and  enter  into  their 
feelings;  to  pity  the  exiles  from  Eden;  to  admire 
the  wisdom  of  Moses,  or  the  prophetic  inspiration 
of  Elijah,  or  Isaiah;  time,  space,  the  very  confusion 
of  tongues,  all  yield  to  the  magic  power  of  the 
senses;  but  one  who  does  not  use  the  senses  as  the 
media  through  which  knowledge  is  conveyed  to  the 
mind,  but  derives  the  highest  enjoyments  from  the 
mere  impression  of  external  things  upon  the  senses 


184  A  MEMOIR 

themselves,  is   unworthy   the   possession    of  such 
blessings.     The  gratification  of  the  eye,  in  the  ob- 
jects of  beauty  with  which  he  surrounds  himself; 
the  gratification  of  the  ear,  in  the  excessive  cultiva- 
tion of  music;  the  gratification  of  the  taste,  in  Epi- 
curean viands;  the  gratification  of  smelling,  in  lux- 
urious and  costly  perfumes;  and  of  touch,  in  the 
velvets,  satins,  fine  furs,  &c.,  with  which  he  sur- 
rounds his  body,  makes  man  a  sensualist.     These 
indulgences  are  generally  palliated,  by  applying  to 
them  the  term  taste;  but  a  refined  taste  implies  in- 
tellectual enjoyment,  derived  through  the  senses, 
rather  than  from  them.     This  taste  is  a  faculty  of 
the  mind,  and  exercises  itself  in  moral  and  intellec- 
tual operations  upon  subjects  made  known  to  it, 
through  the  agency  of  the  senses.     Taste,  for  in- 
stance, is  delighted  with  the  abstract  quality  of  fit- 
ness, or  the  suitability  of  things  for  the  purposes 
for  which  they  were  created;  and  while  the  eye  be- 
holds the  light  in  the  heavenly  bodies,  and  feels  the 
beauty  of  their  different  glories,  taste  follows  philo- 
sophy into  her  deepest  cells;  when  shut  in  from  the 
visible  heavens,  she  traces  their  distances  and  velo- 
cities, and  dwells  upon  the  wisdom,  goodness  and 
power  which  measured  their  orbits,  balanced  their 
respective  weights,  gave  them  forms  to  correspond 
with  their  distances,  and  satellites  and  circles  of  lu- 
minous air,  to  supply  their  deficiency  of  light  from 
solar  beams.     A  sensualist  is  in  the  lowest  grade  of 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         185 

humanity.  He  may  improve  the  discriminating 
power  of  all  the  senses,  but  he  is  still  merely  a  re- 
fined brute;  while  the  man  of  pure  good  taste  rests 
not  in  their  delight,  but  receives  from  the  pleasure 
they  afford  a  mental  impetus,  which  carries  him  far, 
far  above  the  earth;  even  where  Thomson  soared, 
when  he  caught  the  eternal  song  of  saints  around  the 
throne,  and  poured  forth  his  hymn  of  praise, 

"These  are  thy  glorious  works,  Parent  of  good!" 


LECTURE  XVIII. 

HONOURING  GOD  BY  OUR  LIVES  AND  CONVERSATIONS. 
Whatsoever  you  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God. — 1  COR.,  i.,  31. 

To  honour  God  and  to  glorify  God  are  synony- 
mous terms;  and  nothing  has  been  more  unjustly 
condemned  than  the  use  of  such  expressions.  Men 
say  plausibly,  how  can  the  creature  add  any  thing 
to  the  Creator?  how  can  a  worm  of  the  dust  give 
glory  to  the  God  of  heaven  and  earth  ?  Certainly 
we  can  add  nothing  to  the  intrinsic  character,  or 
actual  possessions  of  the  Lord  of  all;  but  the  expres- 
sion conveys,  and  means  to  convey,  a  very  different 
idea.  It  means  that  by  using  voluntarily,  as  we  are 
enabled  to  do,  the  power  of  the  Deity  to  become  in 
our  own  persons  clear  manifestations  of  that  glory  of 
1C* 


186  A  MEMOIR 

God  which  is  displayed  in  the  perfection  of  his  crea- 
tures, we  shall  produce  a  moral  influence  upon  all 
around  us,  which  will  lead  to  a  general  adoption  of 
principles  and  conduct  such  as  will  increase  the  per- 
fection and  happiness  of  his  creatures.  The  perfec- 
tion and  happiness  of  God's  creatures  is  his  greatest 
glory;  therefore,  whatever  adds  to  the  perfection 
and  happiness  of  his  creatures,  adds  to  his  glory,  or 
the  manifestation  of  his  glorious  attributes  to  the 
created  world. 

If  God  is  revealed  to  us  in  a  glorious  light  as  the 
Creator  of  the  world,  certainly  there  is  nothing 
which  contributes  more  to  that  glory  than  the  crea- 
tion of  the  human  soul  with  all  its  wonderful  facul- 
ties: and  to  bring  these  faculties  to  maturity,  and  to 
exhibit  man  in  that  state  of  perfection  of  which  his 
nature  is  susceptible,  is  certainly  to  augment  the  dis- 
play of  his  Maker's  glory.  Every  individual  in- 
stance of  superior  moral  elevation  of  character  and 
conduct  is  calculated  to  produce  a  pious  emulation, 
as  well  as  a  higher  and  stronger  perception  of  the 
glorious  intentions  of  the  Creator  with  regard  to  us. 
It  is  an  evidence  that  he,  indeed,  intended  us  to  be 
examples  of  that  glory  of  his  in  creation,  which  is 
manifested  in  all  his  works,  but  in  nothing  so  much 
as  in  a  good  man,  a  good  woman,  or  a  good  child. 
As  I  believe,  according  to  the  doctrine  just  advanced, 
that  examples  are  the  means  appointed  by  the  Crea- 
tor for  the  extension  of  his  glory,  as  it  is  written, 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        187 

"Let  men  see  your  good  works,  that  they  may  glo- 
rify your  Father  in  heaven,"  I  will,  at  present,  en- 
deavour to  set  before  you  such  instances  from  real 
life,  and  so  recent,  as  to  be  fair  examples  of  what 
each  one  of  us  may  be  if  we  will.     John  Howard, 
deservedly  called  the  "philanthropist,"  may  serve 
as  the  instance  of  a  man  who  lived  to  the  glory  of 
God;  Elizabeth  Fry  shall  be  our  good  woman,  and 
for  a  good  child,  since  I  cannot  cite  any  who  have 
been  so  conspicuous  as  to  add  much  by  their  active 
virtues  to  the  glory  of  their  Maker,  I  shall  content 
myself  in  showing  you  in  what  way  it  is  possible 
even  for  "babes  and  sucklings  to  perfect  praise." 
How  beautiful  to  our  eyes  is  the  delicate  rose-bud, 
when  it  first  bursts  the  folding  leaves  that  have  con- 
cealed it  from  our  sight,  and  shows  its  little  fringed 
cone  of  tender  green.     It  is  not  to  compare  in  grace 
of  form,  in  beauty  of  colour,  in  rich  and   delicate 
odor,  to  the  perfect  rose;  but,  after  a  long  winter, 
the  sight  of  the  first  spring  bud  brings  with  it  more 
delight  to  our  senses  than  a  wilderness  of  summer 
roses.     Because  the  promise  is  so  sweet  and  refresh- 
ing, and  we  anticipate  all  that  is  lovely  from  that 
which  we  see.     So,  the  earlier  in  life  children  give 
indication    of    their    virtuous     dispositions,    their 
anxiety  to  prove  their  love  of  God  by  some  active, 
persevering  effort  to  do  good,  the  more  we  look  for- 
ward to  their  glorifying  God  hereafter  in  their  lives 
and  conversations.     Nor  is  there  a  sight  upon  earth 


188  A  MEMOIR 

more  calculated  to  excite  the  reverence  of  man  for 
the  great  power  of  God,  than  to  witness  that  do- 
minion of  his  grace  in  a  young  heart,  of  which  we 
sometimes  see  such  remarkable  instances. 

Cornelia  M ,  the  daughter  of  my  neighbour, 

and  my  god-child,  was  a  lovely,  gentle,  innocent, 
intelligent,  sprightly,  but  diligent  child.  Although 
playful,  she  was  singularly  given  to  serious  medi- 
tation from  her  earliest  childhood.  At  seven  years 
of  age  she  was  teacher  in  the  Sunday-school,  and  so 
anxious  to  instruct  the  little  slaves,  in  her  father's 
house,  to  read  the  Scriptures,  that  she  would  weep 
for  their  averseness  to  learning;  "for  how,"  she  said, 
"would  they  ever  know  their  duty  to  God,  if  they 
would  not  learn  to  read  the  Bible."  Soon  after  she 
attained  her  eighth  year,  this  dear  child  was  taken 
with  an  inflammation  of  the  throat,  which,  after  a 
very  short  period  of  extreme  agony,  terminated  in 
her  death.  During  her  illness,  the  admiration  of  all 
around  her  was  excited  by  her  patience,  her  con- 
sideration for  others,  her  prayers  for  her  friends, 
arid  for  all  mankind,  and,  finally,  by  the  triumph 
of  her  faith  in  God  in  the  trying  hour  of  death.  "I 
am  in  a  great  agony,"  she  said;  "  I  am  going  very 
fast;  I  hope  I  may  live  to  see  my  dear  mother  and 
sisters,"  who  were  from  home,  but  every  hour  ex- 
pected to  return.  "I  want  to  see  them,  and  then  I 
want  to  die,  and  go  to  heaven."  "Mammy/' she 
said,  with  infantine  simplicity,  to  her  weeping  nurse 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         189 

"  don't  cry  for  me ;  God  is  going  to  take  me  to 
heaven  to  be  his  own  dear  little  child."  Nor  was 
there  self-complacency  in  this  assurance  of  faith; 
for,  being  in  extreme  agony,  she  exclaimed,  "Oh, 
God  !  have  mercy  upon  me,  a  poor  sinful  child" 
Her  father  replied,  "God  loves  you,  my  dear;  you 
are  not  sinful,  but  a  good,  obedient  little  child." 
"Oh!  no,  father,"  she  replied,  "  God  knows  lam 
a  sinner;  /am  not  good."  So  that  it  was  faith  in 
God's  mercy  through  Christ  which  strengthened  her 
to  desire  to  go  "  through  the  valley  and  shadow  of 
death,  fearing  no  evil."  Blessed  child  !  sweet,  early 
blossom  of  paradise !  how  art  thou  since  expanded 
into  celestial  glory,  planted  for  ever  by  the  rivers 
of  life !  May  our  deaths  be  like  yours,  gentle,  sweet, 
full  of  love,  and  hope  and  peace  in  believing.  None 
could  doubt  that  she  realized  the  nature  of  death; 
for  shortly  before  she  had  seen  her  little  sister,  a 
pale  corpse,  laid  in  her  coffin,  and  committed  to  the 
earth.  No  martyrs  ever  proved  more  clearly  their 
trust  in  the  promises  of  God.  Sweet,  happy  cherub ! 
since  your  triumphant  spirit  winged  its  rejoicing 
flight  to  the  kingdom  of  eternal  glory,  the  con- 
queror of  nations,  the  envy  and  admiration  of  ephe- 
meral man,  the  great  Napoleon,  has  fretted  out  the 
peevish  remnant  of  his  proud  career,  "like  a  bea- 
con on  the  breast  of  the  ocean ;"  and  if  his  conqueror 
still  walks  the  earth,  who,  that  thinks  of  the  frailty 
of  human  greatness,  but  must  anticipate  the  proba- 


190  A  MEMOIR 

ble  difference  between  the  death  of  Wellington  and 
that  of  the  beautiful  child  pluming  her  dove-like 
wings  for  her  heavenward  flight,  conscious  of  being 
beloved  by  the  Glory  of  all  the  nations,  the  Con- 
queror of  sin  and  death. 

In  the  history  of  ancient  nations  we  are  led  to  in- 
quire what  became  of  that  miserable  portion  of  hu- 
man society  who,  from  sickness,  from  vice,  or  from 
any  of  the  various  ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to,  were  re- 
duced to  destitution  among  them — that  class  which 
fills  our  alms-houses  and  hospitals.  We  hear  in 
every  history,  sacred  and  profane,  of  a  prison  to  in- 
carcerate the  body  of  the  unfortunate  debtor,  to  chain 
the  miserable  criminal  in  dungeons,  when  his  liberty 
or  life  had  been  forfeited  to  the  laws  of  his  country, 
or  to  the  despotism  of  man;  and  to  confine,  in  heavy 
fetters,  the  captive  monarch,  or  the  rival  chief;  but 
where  are  there  any  vestiges  in  their  antiquities,  of 
the  asylums  for  widows  and  orphans,  for  the  blind, 
the  deaf  and  dumb;  where  their  houses  of  refuge  for 
the  reformation  and  education  of  vagrant  youth, 
their  alms-houses — "  where  age  and  want  sit  smiling 
at  the  gate."  Whence  is  it,  that  there  seems  to 
have  been  no  provision  for  suffering  poverty;  but 
the  candidate  for  heaven,  the  poor,  good  man,  "  laid 
by  the  road-side,  and  the  dogs  licked  his  sores." 
Whence  the  wonderful  change  which  we  now  be- 
hold; for  while  we  no  longer  see  some  ghastly,  dust- 
covered  mummy  enshrined  in  a  magnificent  mau- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERGER.  191 

soleum,  sufficient  for  a  living  king  and  his  retinue 
to  dwell  in,  our  lands  are  adorned  with  beautiful, 
bright  edifices,  on  every  front  of  which  Christian 
charity  seems  to  be  emblazoned  in  words  of  living 
fire.  It  is  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts 
which  has  thus  changed  our  public  institutions,  sub- 
stituting the  active  principle  of  serving  the  living, 
for  burying  the  dead;  expending  the  resources  of 
society  in  the  promotion  of  human  happiness  and 
virtue,  instead  of  exhausting  the  lives  and  treasures 
of  nations,  in  splendid  temples  for  the  absurd  and 
disgusting  worship  of  some  profligate  woman,  a 
Venus,  a  Juno,  or  a  Diana,  the  records  of  whose  in- 
famous lives  should  be  banished  from  our  schools. 
The  same  spirit  which  has  wrought  su<*h  a  change 
in  the  objects  to  which  the  wealth  of  man  is  devoted, 
has  changed  the  direction  of  heroic  minds,  and  the 
philanthropist  is  now  considered  as  a  greater  man 
than  the  conqueror.  Since  Jesus  has  introduced  a 
new  criterion  of  human  perfection,  thousands  on 
thousands  have  felt  that,  if  the  believer  in  Mars 
naturally  offered  the  blood  of  slaughtered  ene- 
mies to  his  God,  as  an  acceptable  gift,  the  believer 
in  Jesus  Christ  must  offer  the  sacrifice  of  every  sel- 
fish principle  of  his  own  nature,  and  load  the  shrine 
of  his  God  with  works  of  love  and  mercy,  to  the 
just  and  to  the  unjust.  Such  a  worshipper  of  the 
true  God  was  John  Howard  !  He  was  truly  a 
Christian  hero  in  spirit.  Awed  by  no  dangers, 


192  A  MEMOIR 

checked  by  no  difficulties,  repressed  by  no  failures, 
he  was  never  weary  in  well  doing.  And  having 
opened  his  generous  heart  to  the  enlarged  views  of 
Christian  charity,  his  compassion  was  equally 
touched  with  the  iron  that  entered  into  the  soul  of 
the  prisoner  in  Turkey,  in  Egypt,  in  Russia,  or  in 
England.  Wherever  there  was  a  man,  that  man 
was  a  brother  of  his  soul ;  and  that  brother's  groans, 
in  his  loathsome  dungeon,  fell  upon  Howard's  heart, 
as  he  sat  by  his  own  cheerful  fire-side,  surrounded  by 
every  social  comfort;  and  he  arose  and  went  forth 
on  his  pilgrimage,  with  Christ  to  live,  to  labour,  and 
to  die,  for  those  who  loved  him  not,  who  knew  him 
not.  No  dazzling  display  of  scenes  to  captivate  the 
imagination*gratified  the  latent  vanity  of  the  human 
heart,  no  pulling  down  of  Bastiles,  and  casting  out 
of  the  wretched  inmates  of  monastic  seclusion,  ex- 
cited his  pride  by  popular  applause.  No:  while  he 
passed  slowly  through  the  cells  of  criminals,  or  of 
the  miserable  victims  of  human  selfishness,  he  sub- 
stituted a  bed  for  the  damp  ground,  or  unchanged 
straw;  he  obtained  fresh  clothing  for  the  long-for- 
gotten tenant  of  some  fetid  cell ;  or  he  procured  one 
cheering  ray  of  Heaven's  blessed  light  to  shed  a 
smile  upon  the  darkness  of  despair,  within  the  dun- 
geon's gloom.  And  if  these  angelic  visits  were 
ever  registered  for  fame,  it  was  by  angels  at  the 
throne  of  Jesus,  who  never  cease  rejoicing  in  the 
holy  labours  of  his  saints  on  earth. 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MEHCEB.          193 

Some  years  since  the  attention  of  the  English  na- 
tion, first  awakened  by  John  Howard,  was  forcibly 
called  to  the  state  of  prison  discipline  in  England, 
and  a  bill  was  reported  by  Mr.  Brougham  to  parlia- 
ment on  the  subject.  To  prove  the  possibility  and 
the  necessity  for  such  a  reform,  he  cited  the  then 
recent  effect  produced  by  the  labours  of  a  single  be- 
nevolent individual,  and  that  a  delicate,  and  not 
very  wealthy  woman.  Elizabeth  Fry,  a  member 
of  the  Christian  society  called  Friends,  being  in 
her  youth  one  of  those  who  are  denominated  gay 
Friends,  after  passing  a  winter  in  London  in  much 
company,  became  deeply  sensible  of  the  awful  re- 
sponsibility of  spending  time,  talents,  and  every 
other  means  of  usefulness,  in  selfish  amusements. 
She  therefore  determined  at  once  to  dedicate  her- 
self wholly  to  God,  in  the  elevated  pleasures  of  a 
pious  life.  She  soon  formed  a  plan  to  attempt  the 
reform  of  the  prisoners  in  Newgate;  but  her  hus- 
band and  family  thought  it  so  enthusiastic  a  scheme, 
that  it  was  some  time  before  she  obtained  their  con- 
sent. Then,  when  she  applied  to  the  public  autho- 
rities, they  again  opposed  her  wishes,  represented 
to  her  the  horrid  ferocity  and  desperate  depravity 
of  the  wretched  inmates  of  the  prison.  Only  stimu- 
lated to  perseverance  by  their  descriptions,  she  urged 
her  petitions,  until  at  last  she  obtained  permission 
to  make  the  experiment,  and,  accompanied  by  the 
keeper,  entered  the  common  room  of  the  female 
17 


194  A  MEMOIR 

prisoners,  who  immediately  crowded  around  her 
with  vulgar  curiosity.  She  inquired,  with  gentle 
benevolence,  if  their  situation  was  not  very  com- 
fortless and  miserable.  They  replied  that  it  was. 
She  asked  them  if  they  would  not  rejoice  to  have  a 
friend  come  among  them,  to  assist  them  to  do  some- 
thing to  improve  their  condition.  With  the  hard- 
ened recklessness  of  the  desperately  vicious,  they 
laughed,  and  replied  :  "  A  friend  !  who  cares  for 
us,  or  would  spend  their  time  in  befriending  us? 
We  have  no  friend."  "  Yes,"  said  she,  "  you  have 
a  Friend,  and  he  has  sent  me  here  to  persuade  you 
to  aid  me  in  plans  which  I  have  for  your  benefit." 
Then  she  opened  the  Bible  which  she  had  brought 
with  her,  and  read  from  Isaiah  the  following  words: 
"  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me,  because  he 
hath  sent  me  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor :  he 
hath  sent  me  to  heal  the  broken-hearted,  to  preach 
deliverance  to  the  captives,  and  recovering  of  sight 
to  the  blind,  to  set  at  liberty  them  that  are  bruised." 
These  touching  words  she  explained  in  tones  so  ex- 
pressive of  deep  feeling,  that  her  horrid  audience 
were  actually  melted  into  tears,  while  she  told  them 
of  Jesus,  their  Friend,  the  Friend  of  prisoners  and 
captives;  and  that  he  had  sent  her  to  try  to  do  them 
good;  and  she  besought  their  assistance  to  effect 
her  good  wishes.  They  willingly  consented,  and  en- 
tered into  her  plans.  She  made  her  arrangements 
with  the  aid  of  a  committee  of  young  ladies,  to  teach 


Or  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         195 

them  to  sew  and  read ;  for,  as  ignorance  is-  the  pa- 
rent of  vice,  she  found  that  most  of  them  could  do 
neither.  Imagination  cannot  realize,  probably,  the 
scene  described  by  a  young  lady  of  the  committee, 
who  undertook  to  open  a  school  for  these  miserable 
wretches,  in  a  small  room  which  had  been  appro- 
priated for  the  purpose.  She  said,  that  when  they 
crowded  in  tumultuously,  fighting  for  places,  and 
cursing  and  scrambling  over  the  benches  which  had 
been  arranged  for  their  reception,  she  could  only 
liken  the  scene  to  the  lower  regions,  and  felt  an  in- 
describable horror  in  finding  herself  shut  up  alone 
with  them.  The  scene,  however,  was  soon  entirely 
changed.  Order,  cleanliness  and  sobriety  peryaded 
the  prison ;  and  Mrs.  Fry  was  daily  greeted  with 
the  most  perfect  reverence  and  affection.  On  en- 
tering, instead  of  the  various  exhibitions  of  drink- 
ing, gambling,  quarreling,  &c.,  which  usually  pre- 
vail in  the  public  room  of  a  great  prison,  all  the  pri- 
soners were  to  be  found  in  groups,  listening  to  the 
Bible,  or  some  good  book,  while  they  employed 
their  hands  in  a  variety  of  work  which  had  been 
provided  for  them  by  their  kind  protectress.  After 
a  while,  however,  suddenly  there  appeared  to  be  a 
great  falling  away;  they  went  back  to  their  bad  ha- 
bits, neglected  their  work,  sold  their  materials  for 
drink,  and  Mrs.  Fry  appeared  to  be  defeated  in  all 
her  efforts  to  reclaim  them.  She,  however,  con- 
tinued her  unremitting  labours,  every  day  address- 


196  A  MEMOIR 

ing  them,  and  always  proposing  some  plan  for  their 
improvement  and  comfort.  One  day,  about  a  fort- 
night after  the  change,  a  woman  came  to  her,  and, 
bursting  into  tears,  drew  a  pack  of  soiled  cards  from 
her  pocket,  threw  herself  on  her  knees  before  her, 
and  begged  her  forgiveness;  saying,  that  she  knew, 
unless  she  obtained  it,  God  never  would  forgive 
her.  She  stated,  that  when  she  was  brought  into 
the  prison,  and  saw  what  was  going  on,  she  had 
been  seized  with  the  most  determined  hatred  to 
Mrs.  Fry  and  her  plans;  and  had  resolved  to  thwart 
and  oppose  her  in  every  thing.  That  for  this  purpose 
she  had  introduced  cards,  and  drawn  away  the  pri- 
soners to  every  sort  of  dissipation.  But  she  could 
hold  out  no  longer  against  Mrs.  Fry;  and  she  pro- 
mised, if  forgiven,  she  would  never  offend  again. 
To  this  promise  she  was  faithful;  and,  after  effecting 
the  greatest  change  there,  Mrs.  Fry  went  through- 
out England,  Scotland  and  Ireland,  establishing  si- 
milar regulations  under  the  direction  of  prison  com- 
mittees. It  is  now  nearly  twenty  years  since  the 
subject  was  brought  before  parliament;  and  this 
Christian  woman  is  still,  I  trust,  walking  her  rounds 
of  duty,  with  the  untiring  zeal  of  one  who  draws 
her  spirit  from  the  everlasting  God.  These  are, 
then,  the  examples  which  I  promised  you,  of  per- 
sons in  the  ordinary  walks  of  life,  honouring  God 
with  their  lives;  and,  as  they  honoured  him  by 
their  deeds  of  benevolence,  so  their  conversation 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         197 

was  always  such  as  becomes  godliness.  If  you  are 
conscious  that  the  sin  of  idle  talking  prevails  among 
-you;  if  you  are  sensible  of  so  offending  individually ; 
or,  if  the  sad  effect  of  this  low,  disgraceful,  and  cor- 
rupting vice  disturbs  the  peace  and  serenity  of  your 
little  circle,  let  me  entreat  you,  as  the  most  certain 
corrective  of  the  evil,  to  form  some  common  plan 
for  promoting  the  perfection  and  happiness  of  your 
fellow  creatures.  Imbue  your  hearts  with  the  spirit 
of  active  charity,  and  the  gossip  of  the  worldly- 
minded  will  indeed  sound  on  your  ears  like  idle 
words.  No  conversation  will  then  appear  to  you 
worthy  of  notice,  but  such  as  has  some  evident 
bearing  upon  the  improvement  or  happiness  of  the 
human  race.  When  this  has  once  become  the  main 
object  of  your  hopes,  your  fears,  your  labours,  and 
your  prayers,  it  will  become  the  most  interesting; 
subject  of  your  thoughts,  and  the  favourite  theme  of 
your  conversations.  Imagine  Mr.  Howard,  or  Mrs. 
Fry,  to  return  home  at  evening,  with  souls  filled 
with  images  of  the  poor  prisoners  they  had  visited, 
hand-cuffed  and  chained,  lying  on  a  pile  of  filthy 
straw,  perishing  with  cold  and  hunger,  or,  worse, 
in  the  horrid  bondage  of  sin,  blaspheming,  drinking 
and  fighting  in  their  superterrene  hole.  Do  you 
think  they  would  be  agreeably  amused,  if,  when 
their  efforts  were  directed  to  "  stir  up  the  pure 
minds  fervently"  of  the  young  around  them,  to  aid 
in  their  noble  labours,  they  were  called  upon  to  join 
17* 


198  A  MEMOIR 

in  the  childish  prattle  of  girls  discussing  the  ribands 
on  their  hair,  or  the  rings  on  their  fingers;  or,  in 
the  equally  contemptible  jargon  of  young  men  of 
fashion,  of  their  hat-rims,  or  coat  capes,  or  shoe-ties, 
or,  still  worse,  the  cruel,  wicked  custom,  usual  with 
both  sexes,  of  dissecting  characters,  and  speaking 
evil  of  others,  merely  to  excite  some  interest  in 
their  vapid  conversation  ?  Conversation  is  to 
works  what  the  flower  is  to  the  fruit.  A  godly 
conversation  'shelters  and  cherishes  the  new-born 
spirit  of  virtue,  as  the  flower  does  the  fruit,  from 
the  cold,  chill  atmosphere  of  a  heartless  world ;  and 
the  beauty  of  holiness  expanding  in  conversation, 
gives  rational  anticipation  of  noble-minded  princi- 
ples ripening  into  the  richest  fruits  of  good  works. 
You  know  the  tree  as  well  by  the  flower  as  the 
fruit,  and  never  need  you  hope  to  see  the  fig  follow 
the  thistle  flower,  or  grapes  the  wild  bloom  of  the 
thorn  tree.  Honour  God,  then,  with  your  bodies 
and  spirits,  in  your  lives  and  conversations,  show 
forth  holiness  out  of  a  good  conversation;  for  the 
king's  daughter  is  all  glorious  within. 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  199 

LECTURE  XIX. 

THE  FEAR  AND  LOVE  OP  GOD. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  to  hate  evil,  pride,  and  arrogancy. — PROT., 
•viiL,  13. 

If  we  measure  civilized  man,  as  a  species,  with 
Christ,  and  consider  his  words,  "  If  ye  are  as  I  am 
in  this  world,  ye  shall  be  with  me  in  the  world  to 
come,"  we  cannot  but  be  astounded,  and  say,  "Who 
then  can  be  saved  ?"  At  long  intervals,  however, 
some  men  have  arisen  as  witnesses  for  God,  to  show 
that  the  law  is  holy,  just,  and  honourable.  That  it 
is  made  by  the  Omniscient,  who  knows  what  powers 
he  has  conferred  up<5n  his  creatures,  and  conse- 
quently what  he  has  a  right  to  require.  Such  was 
Howard,  such  were  Swartz,  Oberlin,  Felix  Neff, 
Martyn,  and  many  others:  a  sufficient  number  to 
prove  that  God  requires  nothing  more  than  the  best 
use  to  be  made  of  the  powers  he  bestows.  We  have 
then  to  ask,  with  increased  anxiety,  why,  if  God 
has  given  both  the  command  and  the  power  to  obey 
it,  men  are  living  so  without  God  in  the  world  ? 
Because  we  have  most  of  us  parted  with  the  freedom 
of  conscience  which  we  all  have  by  nature;  "we 
have  sold  ourselves  for  naught,'7  "we  are  sold  under 
bondage  to  sin,"  "and  no  man  hath  wherewith  to 
redeem  his  soul,"  or  "ransom  his  brother."  We 


200  A  MEMOIR 

have  accustomed  ourselves  to  disregarding  and  vio- 
lating the  commands  of  God,  until  we  have  con- 
tracted a  contemptuous  disbelief  of  them  ;  and  now 
we  follow  our  natural  propensities,  which  are  in  all 
flesh  "earthly,  sensual,  devilish."  And  how,  I 
pray  you,  were  the  men  we  have  named,  or  was 
ever  any  other  man  brought  to  illustrate  the  sublime 
principle  of  holiness  by  his  life  and  conversation  ? 
Never,  but  by  cultivating  a  just  timidity  as  to  his 
own  performances,  and  so  high  a  sense  of  the  perfect 
requirements  of  God's  law,  as  creates  a  wholesome 
fear  of  coming  short  of  them.  Under  this  state  of 
mind,  holiness  becomes  an  object  of  intense  desire  ; 
we  see  its  transcendent  beauty,  we  love  it,  and, 
consequently,  we  fear  never  to  obtain  it.  We  dis- 
cover that  God  is  its  only  source,  and  we  begin  to 
apprehend  what  the  law  means  by  the  command, 
"Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy;"  "Be  ye  perfect  as 
your  Father  in  heaven  is  perfect."  Be  ye  perfect 
sons,  as  your  Father  is  a  perfect  Father ;  perform 
your  relative  duties  to  him,  and  to  each  other,  as  he 
performs  his  relative  duties  to  you.  Set  your  whole 
heart,  and  mind,  and  strength  to  the  study  of  his 
will,  that,  in  the  spirit  of  obedience,  you  may  say, 
as  Christ  did,  "  Lo  !  I  come  do  thy  will,  0,  God  !" 
The  fear  of  God  enjoined  upon  his  people  is  not  the 
fear  which  a  slave  has  of  a  cruel  master,  but  the 
fear  that  a  noble-minded,  affectionate  son  has  of 
doing  anything  to  distress  his  father;  and  whoever 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         201 

has  not  this  fear,  has  not  true  love  for  his  parent; 
neither  can  any  man  love  God  without  having  it  in 
a  very  high  degree.  To  obtain  it,  we  must  ofte.n 
and  deeply  consider  the  certainty  that  the  God  who 
fashioned  and  made  us,  within  and  without,  certainly 
knows,  at  all  times,  the  most  secret  thoughts  of  our 
hearts.  We  should  always  feel  as  if  he  were  visibly 
present;  as  if  the  eye  of  one  whom  we  love  and 
fear,  and  to  whom  we  are  responsible,  was  fixed 
upon  us;  that  he  would  reward,  love  us,  and  bless 
our  labours,  just  in  proportion  as  our  thoughts  and 
intentions  were  according  to  his  holy  will  and  com- 
mandments: and  that,  on  the  other  hand,  we  should 
make  ourselves  odious  to  his  holiness,  if  we  followed 
the  lower  propensities  of  our  animal  nature.  Imi- 
tate then,  ye  that  wish  for  glory,  honour,  and  im- 
mortality, the  custom  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
always  met  every  exigency  with  Scripture,  and 
carry  about  with  you  as  a  talisman,  this  wholesome 
command:  "Sanctify  the  Lord  of  hosts  in  your 
heart,  and  let  him  be  your  fear,  and  let  him  be 
your  dread."  Cultivate  such  an  apprehension  of  his 
great  sanctity,  as  may  fill  your  hearts  with  an  awe 
and  fear  of  being  seen,  and  examined  thoroughly, 
by  such  a  perfect  Being;  of  being  called  into  his 
presence  to  answer  for  all  your  follies  and  impu- 
rities; and  to  account  to  him  for  never  having  used 
the  means  which  had  been  so  effectual  in  preserving 
others  from  the  pollution  of  sin,  and  in  elevating 


202  A  MEMOIR 

them  to  such  eminence  in  virtue.  Solomon  says, 
"The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  ;" 
and  St.  John  says,  "Perfect  love  casteth  out  fear." 
"Let  us  then  cultivate  a  wise  fear  of  falling  short  in  the 
love  and  obedience  which  we  owe  to  the  Lord  our 
God;  norbe  too  forward  to  dismiss  the  principle  upon 
any  apprehension  that  our  love  will  satisfy  his  perfec- 
tion; for,  in  his  great  love  for  us,  he  would  have  UvS 
to  shine  forth  in  his  own  divine  image.  It  is  a  fact, 
easily  explained,  that  those  who  have  proved  the 
highest  love  of  God,  have  also  had  the  strongest  ap- 
prehensions of  falling  short  of  salvation.  The  reason 
is,  simply,  because  they  retain  a  very  high  sensibility 
of  conscience,  from  not  hardening  themselves  by 
sin;  and  by  purity  of  mind,  they  obtain  such  views 
of  the  holiness  of  God  as  cast  their  best  works  into 
so  strong  a  light  as  to  expose  their  imperfections 
and  corruption  to  view,  and  to  deprive  them  of  all 
the  eclat  which  they  might  derive  from  comparison 
with  the  works  of  men.  The  last  words  John 
Howard  ever  penned,  were  these: 

"  I  think  I  never  look  into  myself,  but  I  find 
some  corruption  and  sin  in  my  heart.  Oh,  God  ! 
do  thou  sanctify  and  cleanse  the  thoughts  of  my  de- 
praved heart.  Oh!  that  the  Son  of  God  may  not 
have  died  for  me  in  vain." 

But  this  was  in  the  consideration  of  himself)  for 
he  had  perfect  confidence  in  the  merits  and  media- 
tion of  Christ,  and  left  it  to  be  inscribed  on  his 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  203 

tomb:  u  In  Christ  is  my  hope."  The  day  he  died, 
he  told  Admiral  Priestman,  "Priestman,  you  style 
this  a  dull  conversation,  and  endeavour  to  divert 
my  mind  from  dwelling  upon  death;  but  I  enter- 
tain very  different  sentiments.  Death  has  no  ter- 
rors for  me;  it  is  an  event  I  always  look  forward 
to  with  cheerfulness,  if  not  with  pleasure;  and,  be 
assured,  the  subject  is  more  grateful  to  me  than  any 
other."  But  how  shall  the  man  who  has  such  a 
sense  of  duty  as  to  adopt  the  following  maxim,  fail 
to  tremble  before  the  all-seeing  God  ? 

"Our  superfluities,'*  says  Mr.  Howard,  "should 
be  given  up  for  the  conveniences  of  others;  our 
conveniences  should  give  place  to  the  necessities  of 
others;  and  even  our  necessities  give  way  to  the 
extremities  of  the  poor."  Looking  at  ourselves, 
we  may  well  be  all  fear-,  looking  to  God  in 
Christ,  we  have  nothing  to  fear;  but  that  we 
may  fail  so  to  divest  ourselves  of  a  worldly  spi- 
rit, as  to  be  entirely  surrendered  to  his  will  .and 
pleasure.  It  is  a  safe  method  to  dwell  much  upon 
the  love  God,  and  his  great  and  manifold  mer- 
cies, so  that  we  may  be  encouraged  by  a  strong 
hope.  At  the  same  time  it  is  a  wholesome  appre- 
hension, and  one  that  makes  us  careful,  often  to 
look  into  our  own  sins  and  imperfections,  until 
we  are  conscious  that  there  is  much  reason  to  fear 
that  we  are  too  sinful,  and  too  little  sensible  of  the 
great  goodness  of  Christ  to  be  permitted  to  plead 


204  A  MEMOIR 

a  claim  through  him  as  a  Saviour.  Fear  is  the  fruit 
of  self-knowledge,  and  self-knowledge  is  a  divine 
science,  learned  by  studying  with  meekness  and 
perseverance,  under  the  teaching  of  God's  word,  the 
daily  course  of  our  own  performances  of  duty. 

Nor  let  soft  slumber  close  your  eyes, 
Before  you've  recollected  thrice, 
The  train  of  actions  through  the  day: 
Where  have  my  feet  chose  out  their  way] 
What  have  I  learn'd,  where'er  I've  been, 
From  all  I've  heard,  from  all  I've  seen"? 
What  know  I  more,  that's  worth  the  knowing? 
What  have  1  done  that's  worth  the  doingl 
What  have  I  sought  that  I  should  shun? 
What  duty  have  I  left  undone? 
Or  into  what  new  follies  run? 
These  self- inquiries  are  the  road 
That  leads  to  virtue  and  to  God. 

Now  no  one  can  faithfully  perform  this  duty 
without  seeing  how  much  they  fall  short  of  their 
obligations  every  day:  consequently,  they  must  fear 
that  when  they  are  weighed  in  God's  balance,  they 
will  be  found  wanting.  But,  at  the  same  time, 
when  most  impressed  by  a  sense  of  our  demerits, 
we  most  clearly  perceive  the  infinity  of  that  good- 
ness and  mercy  which  have  followed  us  in  spite  of 
our  unworthiness,  all  the  days  of  our  lives;  and  we 
are  conscious,  that  if  ever  we  are  lost,  or  fall  short 
of  glory,  honour,  and  immortality,  it  is  because  we 
will  not  obey  the  command  to  come  to  the  Saviour, 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER/  205 

and  let  him  purify  us,  and  make  us  fit  for  the  pre- 
sence of  God. 

Thus/ear  checks  presumption,  and  hope  nourishes 
faith,  and  stimulates  to  active  efforts  to  please  God; 
and  the  two  principles  work  together  for  the  per- 
fection of  the  human  soul. 


LECTURE  XX. 

PRAYER. 

Men  ought  always  to  pray,  and  not  to  faint. — LDKE,  xviii,  1, 
MY  DEAR  YOUNG  FRIENDS: 

That  men  should  pray  is  not  contained  as  a  com- 
mand in  the  Decalogue,  nor  in  any  other  law  of 
Moses.  This  may  surprise  you,  unless  you  consider 
well  what  prayer  is.  It  is  the  natural  expression  of 
religious  affections,  and  consequently  cannot  be  com- 
manded to  those  who  have  none,  and  need  not  be 
to  those  who  have.  It  is  as  needless  to  command 
men  to  pray,  as  to  command  them  to  ask  for  food  or 
drink  when  they  are  hungry  or  thirsty.  If  prayer  is 
me.rely  an  expression  of  the  soul's  sincere  desire,  why 
urge  a  man  to  ask  for  what  he  wants,  when  you  have 
placed  a  Being  before  him,  as  the  object  to  whom  his 
prayers  may  be  freely  addressed,  and  from  whom 
he  may  be  certain  of  meeting  with  perfect  sympathy 
and  the  full  accomplishment  of  his  wishes.  If 
18 


206  A  MEMOIR 

prayer,  then,  is  a  mere  voluntary  expression  of  our 
thoughts  and  feelings,  prayer  is  a  privilege,  and  not 
justly  the  ground  of  positive  enactment.  To  de- 
spise and  neglect  such  a  privilege  must  necessarily 
be  punished  by  a  loss  of  all  the  blessings  which  are 
contingent  upon  the  use  of  that  privilege.  The  be- 
nevolence, then,  of  the  Deity  is  expressed  in  afford- 
ing man  a  code  of  moral  instructions,  by  which  he 
is  made  sensible  of  his  moral  wants,  and  the  source 
whence  he  may  obtain  their  supply;  and  the  simple 
suggestion,  that  "men  ought  always  to  pray,"  is 
freely  and  frequently  given  in  Scripture.  Instead, 
then,  of  enjoining  upon  you  to  pray,  I  would  pre- 
sent to  you  first  for  consideration,  the  duty  of  a 
preparation  for  prayer,  which  consists  in  a  high 
sense  of  the  great  dignity  and  holiness  of  the  Being 
who  is  to  be  addressed  ;  the  full  perception  that 
he  has  purposely  made  you  dependent  upon  himself, 
and  that  there  \s  no  other  way  by  which  you  can 
obtain  the  supply  of  your  wants ;  and  lastly,  that 
your  real  wants  be  fully  discriminated  in  your  own 
mind,  from  those  false  and  spurious  desires  which 
originate  in  the  base  animal  propensities.  If  "you 
ask  amiss,"  you  will  not  receive.  Neither  can  you 
suppose  that  the  great  and  holy  God  will  be  pleased 
to  fi-nd  you  neglecting  the  good  of  your  immortal 
soul,  and  its  grand  and  glorious  destiny,  for  the  sake 
of  that  perishable  house  of  clay,  in  which  the  spiri- 
tual tenant  is  lodged  for  a  few  brief  days.  Stimulate, 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        207 

then,  your  desires  for  those  things  which  will  con- 
duce to  your  true  good,  by  forcing  your  thoughts 
continually  to  dwell  upon  them,  as  you  increase 
your  animal  wants  by  contemplating  their  attrac- 
tions: and  "  be  not  hasty  to  utter  any  thing  before 
God."  When  a  man  urgently  desires  any  thing,  he 
will  be  ready  to  express  his  wants,  even  to  those 
who  cannot  gratify  them;  and  how  much  more  so 
to  those  whom  he  knows  to  be  only  waiting  for  the 
expression  of  his  wishes  to  fulfil  them.  No  skepti- 
cism could  prevent  him  from  asking  from  One  who 
alone  knew,  and  had  power  to  relieve  his  necessities, 
that  which  his  soul  longed  to  obtain. 

Consider,  then,  this  wonderful  state  of  being,  with 
all  its  infinite  series  of  co-operating  contrivances, 
the  work  of  one  God;  the  same  God  who  brought 
you  into  existence,  and  gifted  you  with  the  means 
of  seeing  him  in  his  works.  Consider,  that  he  who 
planted  the  ear  must  hear;  he  that  revealed  himself 
to  us  as  the  omnipotent  Creator,  and  made  us  con- 
scious that  much  is  wanting  to  the  perfection  of  our 
happiness,  intended  thereby  to  lead  us  to  apply  to 
Him  to  perfect  that  which  he  had  begun.  We  can- 
not doubt  that  such  was  the  intention  of  the  Creator, 
since  such  is  the  effect  of  that  nature  which  he  has 
given  us,  and  those  providences  by  which  he  has 
surrounded  us. 

I  apprehend  that  a  most  serious  injury  has  been 
done  to  mankind  by  too  frequently  presenting 


A  MEMOIR 

prayer  to  them  as  a  duty,  rather  than  as  a  privilege; 
by  inculcating  the  idea  that  it  is  a  something  to  be 
done,  from  a  sense  of  duty,  as  a  good  work,  whereas 
prayer  is  simply  the  natural  expression  of  our 
wants  and  tuishes;  and  unless  we  are  conscious  of 
wants  and  wishes,  we  cannot  pray.  Instead,  then, 
of  recommending  to  men  to  pray,  I  would  urge  upon 
them  to  put  themselves  in  a  condition  to  pray;  to 
qualify  themselves  to  do  so,  by  meditation  upon 
their  condition  before  God.  How  much  they  want, 
that  he  alone  can  give  them  !  It  is  only  by  a 
knowledge  of  his  being  and  attributes  that  they  can 
know  how  to  address  themselves  to  him.  And  it 
is  by  a  strong  perception  of  his  great  wisdom,  power, 
and  goodness,  that  they  are  led  to  form  a  desire, 
which  is  certainly  excited,  that  it  may  be  gratified. 
It  is  a  movement  of  the  soul  which  he  means  them 
to  follow,  just  as  hunger  is  intended  to  lead  us  to 
seek  nourishment  for  our  bodies.  And,  moreover, 
this  proves  his  approbation  of  their  following  this 
natural  disposition  to  lay  their  wants  and  wishes 
before  him,  by  making  it  the  means  of  increasing 
their  happiness  and  virtue,  even  when  his  wisdom 
denies  their  requests.  "I  would,  then,  that  all  men 
should  pray"  is  the  language  of  nature,  as  well  as  of 
revelation;  and,  in  fact,  savages  (praying  to  their 
idols  of  wood  and  stone)  are  the  convincing  evidence 
of  this;  for  the  soul  so  much  inclines  to  address  its 
wants  to  some  superior  power,  that  it  prays,  even 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        209 

to  the  works  of  its  own  hands,  from  the  foolish 
ignorance  of  the  natural  mind  being  persuaded  that 
Deity  will  delight  to  dwell  in  what  is  so  much  the 
object  of  its  own  admiration.  If,  then,  all  men  do 
not  pray  to  our  holy  God,  it  is  because  they  feel  no 
want  of  those  things  which  they  might  ask  of  him; 
what  they  feel  they  want,  they  pray  for.  The  proud 
man  prays  to  the  God  of  his  own  imagination,  that 
his  enemies  may  be  humbled  ;  the  Christian  prays 
to  his  God,  that  his  sins  may  be  forgiven.  The 
sensual  seek  pleasure  in  the  groves  of  Cytherea ; 
the  pure  in  heart  see  God  as  he  is,  and  pray  for  his 
Holy  Spirit  to  elevate  their  thoughts  and  feelings, 
and  make  themselves  more  like  himself;  nor  is  it 
difficult  to  perceive  what  prayers  will  ascend  as 
grateful  incense  to  the  throne  of  the  high  and  holy 
One  who  inhabits  eternity.  Never,  then,  offer  to 
God  a  form  of  prayer,  without  having  first  realized 
the  substance  of  it  in  your  heart,  whether  it  be 
supplication  or  praise.  God,  in  various  ways,  ar- 
ranges his  providences  so  as  to  excite  in  our  minds 
a  sense  of  'gratitude,  and  thus  we  are  as  naturally 
led  to  thanksgiving  as  we  are  led  to  supplication, 
by  the  pressure  of  our  wants,  and  their  subsequent 
gratification.  Thus  he  works  in  us  to  will  of  his 
good  pleasure,  and  to  come  before  him  with  praise 
and  thanksgiving,  as  he,  by  the  recurrence  of  hun- 
ger, makes  us  grateful  for  food,  and  by  the  weariness 
13* 


210  A  MEMOIR 

of  the  body,  makes  us  thankful  for  rest.  God  has 
ordained  whatever  is  the  unavoidable  effect  of  his 
providences.  Adam  saw,  in  his  solitude,  amid  the 
joyous  uproar  of  birds  and  beasts  disporting  each 
with  their  kind,  that  it  was  not  good  for  man  to  be 
alone.  It  was  through  the  voice  of  nature  that  God 
said  it  to  him.  And  when  the  perception  of  his 
loneliness  had  become  painful,  then  the  wisely  with- 
held blessing  became  a  lively  type  to  him  of  the 
parental  care  of  his  Creator,  and  he  said,  "God  saw 
that  it  was  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone."  It  is 
the  spiritual  communion  with  God  in  the  sanctuary 
which  brings  our  spirits  to  a  perfect  conformity 
with  his  Spirit.  Consider  then  maturely,  my  dear 
young  friends,  what  your  real  wants  are,  and  speak 
nothing  rashly  or  irreverently  before  your  Maker, 
"who  giveth  to  all  life,  and  breath,  and  all  things." 
And  be  assured  that,  if  in  his  wisdom  he  sees  that 
the  granting  your  prayer  will  conduce  to  your  true 
good,  he  will  grant  it;  if  not,  he  will  in  its  stead  be- 
stow what  in  the  end  you  will  find  to  be  much  better. 
"Use  no  vain  repetitions"  in  addressing  him  "who 
knows,  before  you  ask,  what  things  are  necessary  for 
you;"  but  will  have  you  feel  and  think  much  of  your 
spiritual,  as  well  as  your  temporal  wants,  of  your  de- 
pendence upon  him;  and  lay  them  all  before  him 
with  reverence,  and  humble  submission,  in  a  perfect 
assurance  that  he  "  is  a  Hearer  of  prayer,  and  a  Re- 
warder  of  those  who  diligently  seek  him." 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  M£RC£R.  211 

If  a  preparation  of  the  heart  is  necessary  for 
prayer,  we  can -no  where  obtain  such  aid  in  making 
this  preparation,  as  in  a  deep  and  careful  study  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures;  and  a  consideration  of  our 
troubles  and  necessities  should  lead  us  to  use  such 
means  as  it  has  pleased  him,  to  whom  we  are  to 
pray,  to  afford,  of  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  what 
will  be  acceptable  to  him  in  prayer.  Let  us  then 
see  what  is  said  in  holy  writ  on  the  duty  of 
prayer. 

Private  prayer  is  enjoined  there,  in  these  words: 
"  Enter  into  your  closet,  and  pray  to  your  Father 
in  secret,  and  your  Father  which  seeth  in  secret 
shall  reward  you  openly." 

Social  prayer  is  also  thus  inculcated:  "Where 
two  or  three  are  agreed  together  to  ask  any  thing 
in  my  name,  I  will  grant  it." 

Public  prayer  is  also  thus  indirectly  commanded: 
"  It  is  written  that  my  house  shall  be  called  the 
house  of  prayer"  God,  then,  having  appointed 
the  temple  as  the  peculiar  place  of  prayer,  our  Sa- 
viour banished  all  worldly  concerns  from  it,  that 
the  command  of  his  Father  might  be  fulfilled,  and 
the  house  once  more  be  dedicated  to  prayer.  In 
conformity  to  this,  the  Christians,  at  the  same  time 
that  they  were  instructed  not  to  confide  in  the  office 
of  high  priest,  which  was  at  an  end,  since  the  bring- 
ing in  of  Better  things  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  were 


212  A  MEMOIR 

told  "not  to  neglect  assembling  themselves  to- 
gether;" and  Peter  and  John  went  up  into  the 
temple  at  the,  hour  of  prayer.  When  the  veil  of 
the  temple  was  rent  in  twain,  it  was  that  the  glory 
might  fill  the  whole  house.  In  the  New  Testament, 
then,  which  is  our  peculiar  institute  of  practical  law, 
we  have  a  dedicated  temple,  an  assembling  of  the 
people,  an  appointed  hour  of  prayer,  which  the 
apostles  obeyed  as  scriptural  precedent,  (for  direct 
law  to  pray,  we  have  observed,  there  is  none,  al- 
though many  regulations,  as  to  the  time,  frequency, 
manner,  matter,  place,  and,  above  all,  the  spirit  of 
our  prayers.)  And  now  the  only  point  to  be  ex- 
amined is,  did  each  one  pray  for  himself,  or  were 
they  led  by  one  voice  ?  St.  Paul  speaks  of  the  gift 
of  prayer,  and  not  praying  in  an  unknown  tongue 
to  the  people;  and  since  they  were  promised  a  bless- 
ing when  two  or  three  asked  the  same  thing,  doubt- 
less they  who  were  of  one  mind  and  one  spirit, 
when  they  came  together,  united  their  voices  in 
making  their  common  request  to  the  universal  Fa- 
ther; but  they  were  led  by  the  appointed  minister. 
We  should  use,  then,  private  prayer  for  our  indi- 
vidual wants;  social  prayer  for  social  purposes;  and 
public  prayer,  to  make  known  to  the  Lord  of  the 
whole  earth  our  national  wants.  We  should  also 
use  prayer  as  the  appointed  means  of  binding  so- 
ciety together  in  the  ties  of  Christian  fellowship. 
Those  who  habitually  partake  together  of  the  pri- 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        213 

vileges  of  the  sanctuary  cannot,  if  they  worship  in 
spirit  and  truth,  fail  to  love  each  other,  and  to  be 
deeply  concerned  for  those  things  for  which  they 
united  in  prayer. 

The  earliest  annals  of  history  speak  of  acts  of  de- 
votion performed  by  good  and  bad.  We  find,  how- 
ever, that  such  men  as  Moses,  David,  and  Daniel, 
prayed  constantly  and  fervently;  and  when  men 
have  given  the  evidence  of  wisdom  which  Moses 
gave,  and  of  genius  and  eloquence  such  as  David 
possessed,  they  may  be  permitted,  if  they  are  so 
disposed,  to  convince  others  of  the  inutility  of 
prayer.  When  Jesus  was  asked  by  his  disciples  to 
teach  them  to  pray,  he  gave  them  a  formula,  which, 
for  conciseness  and  comprehensiveness,  has  been  the 
admiration  of  those  who  have  examined  it,  for  more 
than  eighteen  centuries.  An  analysis  of  it  affords 
us  the  amplest  view  of  our  relations  to  God,  to  our- 
selves, and  to  our  fellow  creatures,  and  yet  it  is  so 
simple  that  an  infant  can  be  taught  to  comprehend 
it. 

Bishop  Wilson  has  mentioned  as  the  chief  use 
of  prayer,  that  it  changes  (not  God's  counsels,  but) 
us,  making  us  more  worthy  subjects  of  his  grace 
and  mercy.  Nothing  can  be  more  calculated  to 
produce  such  an  effect,  than  an  examination  of  the 
high  and  holy  import  of  those  few  simple  words  of 
the  Lord's  prayer.  In  the  first  words,  "  Our  Fa- 
ther which  art  in  heaven,"  we  are  taught  to  ad- 


214  A  MEMOIR 

dress  the  Deity  by  a  term  which  must  excite  the 
highest  sense  of  dependence,  gratitude,  and  reve- 
rence for  him,  as  a  Father.  Secondly,  they  teach 
us  not  to  view  him  as  our  own  Father  alone,  but 
the  words,  "our  Father,"  remind  us  that,  as  he  is 
the  common  Parent  of  men,  all  men  are  brethren; 
and  so,  by  a  sense  of  our  duty  to  him,  we  are  for- 
cibly reminded  of  our  duty  to  each  other.  Thirdly, 
the  state  of  heaven  is  here  introduced  to  remind  us 
that  there  is  a  state  of  being  where  our  common 
Parent  is;  and  to  which  we  should  all  strive  to  be 
admitted,  as  to  a  home.  Fourthly,  we  are  taught 
to  pray,  "  Hallowed  be  thy  name,"  that  is,  that  all 
men  may  have  a  due  understanding  and  reverence 
for  the  holy  name  of  our  heavenly  Father:  that  they 
may  comprehend  in  it  all  his  great  and  glorious  at- 
tributes; and,  in  making  this  petition,  we  must  con- 
sider well  whether  the  honesty  of  our  words  is 
proved  by  our  efforts  to  produce  this  happy  state  of 
the  world.  Fifthly,  "Thy  kingdom  come"  is  the 
natural  sequent  of  the  foregoing  clause.  For  if 
men  would  but  seriously  consider  all  that  is  implied 
by  hallowing  his  name,  that  is,  not  to  speak  of  it 
without  due  apprehensions  of  his  wisdom,  power, 
and  goodness,  they  must  come  so  thoroughly  under 
his  dominion,  as  that  God's  kingdom  should  come, 
or  be  established  among  men.  And,  sixthly,  men 
knowing  his  divine  perfection,  and  seeing  the 
"  beauty  of  holiness,"  would  never  be  satisfied  until 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        215 

that  state  was  brought  about,  in  which  God's  "  will 
should  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven." 
Blessed  state  of  peace  and  love  !  If  it  reign  for  a 
little  time,  in  one  heart,  it  is  a  foretaste  of  heaven ; 
in  one  family,  it  would  be  a  miniature  heaven  on 
earth.  If  it  were  fulfilled  in  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth,  it  would  be  earth  turned  into  heaven;  it 
would  be  the  millennial  reign  of  Christ.  But  although 
this  state  of  things  is  the  constant  object  of  our  la- 
bours, and  the  incessant  subject  of  our  prayers,  yet 
have  we  to  wait  patiently  for  its  fulfilment.  So  far, 
in  the  spirit  of  universal  benevolence,  we  are  taught 
to  pray  for  common  blessings  upon  the  whole  hu- 
man race.  But  now  we  are  permitted  to  make  our 
personal  requests  known,  and  how  much  is  included 
(seventhly)  in  the  few  words,  "  Give  us  this  day 
our  daily  bread."  Old  and  young,  rich  and  poor, 
from  the  monarch  to  the  peasant,  each  one  is  de- 
pendent upon  the  providence  of  God  for  bread;  for 
the  sustenance  of  their  being,  both  bodily  and  spi- 
ritual. And  as  we  cannot  take  a  sufficient  portion 
of  nourishment  to-day,  to  enable  us  to  dispense  with 
a  similar  portion  for  to-morrow  and  the  next  day, 
and  again  the  next,  so  we  are  bound  to  feel  that  our 
dependence  upon  God  is  from  instant  to  instant; 
and  what  we  want  every  day,  we  should  ask  for 
every  day.  Eighthly,  what  a  volume  of  virtue  and 
happiness  might  be  extracted  from  this  form  of  sup- 
plication, "  Forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we  forgive 


216  A  MEMOIR 

those  who  trespass  against  us."  As  we  measure 
unto  others,  shall  it  be  measured  unto  us  again. 
Oh,  heavenly  Father!  fill  then  our  hearts  with  thy 
perfect  love,  that  we,  showering  the  blessings  of 
Christ's  glorious  gospel  upon  the  whole  benighted 
world  around  us,  thou  mayst  pour  out  upon  us 
the  precious  things  of  thy  divine  love.  Let  us  not 
rest  in  mere  passive  forgiveness;  let  us  love  and  do 
good  to  our  worst  enemies,  that  thou  mayst  love  us 
for  our  resemblance  to  thee.  Ninthly,  what  could 
follow  more  suitably  the  consideration  of  the  duty 
of  mercy  and  forgiveness,  than  that  we  should  pray, 
"  Lead  us  not,"  or  "  suffer  us  not  to  be  led  into 
temptation."  Let  no  prosperity  tempt  us  to  forget 
ourselves,  nor  adversity  harden  our  hearts,  so  as  to 
weaken  our  trust  and  confidence  in  thee,  our  God  ; 
nor  dry  up  the  sources  of  our  Christian  charity  and 
sympathy  with  our  fellow  creatures;  but,  tenthly, 
"  Deliver  us  from  evil."  Let  thy  omnipotence  con- 
trol, not  only  outward  events  for  our  safety  and 
happiness,  but  enter  into  our  sinful  minds,  oh,  hea- 
venly Father!  and  leave  us  not  to  our  depraved  na- 
ture, but  govern  us  in  all  things,  by  thy  grace;  so 
shall  we  be  enabled  to  live  as  subjects  of  thy  king- 
dom, and  power,  and  glory. 

Prayer,  or  the  worship  of  God,  is  divided  into 
three  parts,  confession,  supplication,  and  thanks- 
giving or  praise.  Each  one  of  them  is  equally  ob- 
ligatory with  the  others.  It  is  our  duty  to  confess 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  217 

our  sins  to  God  in  secret,  then  it  is  our  duty  to  ac- 
knowledge our  sins  before  men,  as  an  example  to 
them  that  they  may  confess  their  sins.  So  of  sup- 
plication, it  is  our  duty  to  pray  both  in  private  and 
in  public,  for  those  things  which  we  are  commanded 
to  ask  of  God,  that  others  may  be  induced  to  do  so 
too.  If  thanksgivings  are  proper  for  one,  they  are 
so  for  all  men ;  and  we  should  let  men  see  us  per- 
form our  duties  to  God,  that  they  also  may  glorify 
our  Father  in  heaven. 


LECTURE  XXI. 

SERVING  GOD  WITH  THE  LIFE  AND  SUBSTANCE. — TO  DEVOTE 
MYSELF,  MY  LIFE,  AND  ALL  THAT  I  CALL  MINE,  TO  HIS 
SERVICE. 

Every  one  that  hath  forsaken  houses,  or  brethren,  or  sisters,  or  father, 
or  mother,  or  wife,  or  children,  or  lands,  for  my  name's  sake,  shall  re- 
ceive a  hundred  fold,  and  shall  inherit  eternal  life. — MATT,  xix.,  29. 

WHAT  have  we  that  we  have  not  received  of 
God?  Have  we  independent  existence,  or  is  there 
any  other  possession  of  which  we  may  say,  it  is  mine, 
I  made  it?  Wealth?  The  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and 
the  fulness  thereof.  Power  ?  There  is  no  power 
but  of  God,  and  thou  couldst  have  none,  unless  it 
were  given  to  thee  from  above.  Talents?  He  who 
made  thee  and  fashioned  thee,  within  and  without, 
19 

•'••• 


218  A  MEMOIR 

committed  these  to  thy  keeping.  Time?  Behold, 
yet  a  little  while,  and  thou  shalt  not  be,  and  thy 
place  shall  know  thee  no  more.  But  when  thy 
mortal  life  has  gone  out,  and  all  thy  earthly  pursuits 
and  pleasures  have  passed  away  and  are  forgotten, 
then  shalt  thou  hear,  in  thy  grave,  the  herald  of  the 
eternal  I  AM,  "who  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come" 
calling  thee  hack  to  existence;  and  thou  shalt  stand 
hefore  him  and  answer  to  these  awful  questions. 
Where  is  the  interest  of  those  talents  which  I  com- 
mitted to  thee  upon  earth?  I  gave  thee  an  im- 
provable faculty,  I  bestowed  upon  thee  a  spark  of 
my  own  divine  fire,  and  intended  and  commanded 
thee  to  kindle  a  great  flame  with  that  little  spark. 
I  intended  thee  to  become  a  burning  and  shining 
light,  to  glorify  me  among  men,  and  thou  wouldst 
not. 

Look  back  eighteen  hundred  years  ago,  and  be- 
hold, in  a  province  of  the  Roman  empire,  by  the 
sea-side,  a  young  man,  dressed  in  the  garb  of  a  pea- 
sant, walks  there  alone!  He  sees  two  fishermen  dry- 
ing their  nets,  and  he  calls  to  them,  (and  afterwards 
at  different  times  "to  ten  other  obscure  men,)  and 
commands  or  persuades  them  to  follow  him.  What 
is  he?  Where  are  they  to  folio  whim?  What  induce- 
ments does  he  offer  them?  What  are  their  united 
efforts  to  effect  ?  He  was,  we  are  told,  a  carpenter's 
son;  he  had  lived  heretofore  with  his  parents,  in  the 
obscurity  of  the  most  despised  district  of  the  pro- 


Or  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER. 

vince.  It  does  not  appear  that  he  clearly  communi- 
cated to  his  companions  why  they  were  to  follow 
him;  and  the  influence  by  which  he  induced  them 
to  do  so,  can  only  be  explained  by  the  unique  cha- 
racter which  is  ascribed  to  his  presence,  his  power, 
his  wisdom  and  his  goodness,  in  which  they  felt  the 
presence  of  divinity.  Never  man  acted  like  this 
man,  might  have  been  said  with  the  same  truth 
which  forced  his  appalled  adversaries  to  confess  that 
"  never  man  spake  like  this  man."  He  came,  as  he 
declared,  to  set  up  a  kingdom  which  should  pervade 
the  whole  earth;  and  yet  his  kingdom  was  not  of 
this  world.  He  was  the  Prince  of  peace,  and  yet 
he  came  not  to  bring  peace  upon  earth,  but  a  sword. 
He  came  to  reign,  but  he  came  to  die  an  ignominious 
death.  He  promised  his  disciples  thrones  and  king- 
doms; and  yet  he  warned  them,  that  they  should  be 
scourged  and  tormented,  and  put  to  death  for  his 
name's  sake;  and  yet  not  a  hair  of  their  heads  should 
perish.  They  followed  him,  because  they  saw  in 
him  a  tone  of  authority  which  they  had  never  seen 
in  the  most  highly  gifted  men ;  and  they  thought  he 
was,  (strange  and  paradoxical  as  it  might  seem,)  the 
Christ,  the  Messiah  ;  the  long  hoped  for  Prince,  who 
was  to  restore  Israel.  The  object  to  be  effected  by 
their  united  efforts,  is  to  be  collected  from  various 
relations  which  they  have  left  in  writing.  It  ap- 
pears from  these,  that  the  first  work  they  entered 
upon  was  teaching;  and  when  they  had  succeeded 


220  A  MEMOIR 

in  collecting  a  sufficient  audience,  his  first  public  dis- 
course is  recorded.  From  it  we  are  led  to  perceive 
that  his  object  was  to  make  the  poor  contented  with 
their  destiny,  and  to  inculcate  peace  and  good  will 
among  men,  and  especially  to  promise  with  autho- 
ritative decision  the  highest  rewards  and  enjoy- 
ments of  heaven  to  the  meek,  the  pure  in  heart, 
and  the  peace-makers.  Having  spent  several  years 
in  great  poverty,  inculcating  an  unresisting  submis- 
sion to  personal  injuries,  and  even  forbidding  his 
followers  to  defend  his  life  when  violently  assailed, 
we  hear  that  he  .was  at  last  crucified  publicly,  and  it 
would  seem  intentionally;  for  the  history  so  states 
that  he  previously  instructed  his  followers' it  "  must 
needs  be. "  But  why  "must  it  needs  be?"  Because 
he  meant  those  who  should  hereafter  believe  in  his 
name  to  see  that  they  must  not  value  their  lives  in 
comparison  with  the- object  of  promoting  his  king- 
dom upon  earth.  He  meant  to  leave  to  his  follow- 
ers a  command  to  "go  unto  all  nations,  baptizing 
every  creature,  teaching  them  all  such  things  as 
they  should  do,"  in  spite  of  every  resistance  and 
persecution  which  the  wrath  of  man  could  devise. 
They  were  to  persevere  against  kings  and  princes, 
and  magistrates,  scourges  and  tortures,  and  violent 
deaths,  in  doing  his  mandate;  and  he  meant,  after  a 
life  of  superhuman  wisdom,  goodness  and  power,  to 
die,  and  to  rise  again  from  the  dead,  to  convince 
them  that  it  was  their  duty  to  devote  themselves, 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER*.  221 

all  that  they  were,  and  all  that  they  had,  to  the  ob- 
jects to  which  he  had  directed  their  attention.  They 
so  understood  it,  and,  putting  away  from  them  all 
worldly-mindedness,  they  entered  zealously  upon 
their  duty,  and  wherever  they  made  converts,  those 
converts  thought  themselves  bound  to  enter  upon 
the  same  course  of  life,  and  to  give  themselves,  and 
all  that  they  possessed,  to  the  promotion  of  their 
Master's  cause.  And  now,  do  you  ask  me,  where 
was  the  injunction  taken  off?  I  profess  to  you  I 
could  never  see  why  or  when  it  was  supposed  to  be 
remitted.  I  know  not  why  we  are  not  individually 
bound  at  this  moment,  if  we  are  enjoying  all  the 
blessed  influences  of  Christian  institutions,  and  all 
its  precious  hopes,  to  do  as  much  in  the  service  of 
its  Founder,  as  were  the  first  disciples.  That  we 
were  expected  to  continue  the  work  of  evangelizing 
the  whole  world,  I  conclude  from  the  expression, 
"Lo!  I  am  with  you  alwa}rs,  even  unto  the  end  of 
the  world."  Now  it  is  unaccountable,  that  Chris- 
tians should  have  ceased  to  go  unto  all  nations,  and 
should  have  persuaded  themselves  that  they  were 
living  under  some  new  dispensation,  in  which  they 
were  exempted  from  the  duty  of  labouring  to  effect 
the  purpose  for  which  the  Saviour  and  the  apostles 
shed  their  blood;  and  I  believe  that  whoever  will 
take  up  the  New  Testament,  and  study  it  with  an 
anxious  desire  to  ascertain  his  whole  duty,  that  he 
may  leave  no  part  undone,  will  be  convinced  that 
19* 


222  A  MEMOIR 

it  is  as  much  our  duty  now  to  propagate  true  reli- 
gion among  all  the  nations,  as  it  was  that  of  St.  Paul 
or  St.  Peter.  He  will  he  convinced  that  God  will 
require  at  our  hands  that  we  should  have  dispensed 
to  the  ignorant  all  the  light  which  we  possess;  and 
that  our  money,  time,  influence,  and  every  other 
means,  should  be  devoted,  without  reserve,  to  pro- 
mote the  cause  of  truth.  That,  laying  aside  all 
worldly,  sensual,  selfish  objects,  we  should  dedicate 
ourselves  to  such  studies  and  pursuits  as  may  most 
effectually  prepare  us  for  usefulness.  He  will  feel 
that  we  should  joyfully  consecrate  ourselves,  our 
lives,  and  all  that  we  call  ours,  to  the  extension  of 
his  kingdom  upon  earth.  This  I  am  sure  of,  be- 
cause the  command  is,  "  teach  every  creature;" 
and,  consequently,  until  every  creature  has  been 
taught,  the  command  has  not  been  fulfilled ;  and, 
since  the  apostles,  by  the  permission  of  Heaven,  have 
departed  and  left  the  work  unfinished,  it  devolves 
upon  their  followers  to  complete  their  work.  I  am 
the  more  assured  of  this,  because,  first,  men  are  as 
mortal  now  as  formerly ;  secondly,  they  are  as  much 
sinners;  thirdly,  their  souls  are  as  valuable;  and  if 
our  Lord  shed  his  own  blood  for  sinners,  then  surely 
the  souls  of  sinners  are  as  precious,  and  as  worthy 
of  the  devotion  of  our  lives  now,  as  of  his  then; 
fourthly,  if  the  life  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was 
given  as  a  ransom  for  souls,  certainly  we  should  not 
value  ourselves,  our  friends,  our  fortune,  talents,  or 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCED  223 

any  other  gift  of  God,  so  highly  as  to  say  we  are 
not  to  relinquish  it  for  the  purpose  for  which  his 
life  was  given  up.  Neither  can  we  say  that  the 
great  object  was  effected  by  his  sacrifice,  and  there- 
fore our  sacrifice  is  not  required;  for  it  is  to  be  ob- 
served, that  the  effect  of  his  sacrifice  was  limited  in 
the  first  instance  to  saving  those  who  were  his  dis- 
ciples ;  and  it  was  by  their  dedication  of  themselves, 
and  their  self-sacrifice,  that  the  world  was  to  be  con- 
verted. It  was  when  Christians  began  to  live  at 
ease,  and  relinquish  that  entire  dedication  of  them- 
selves, and  all  their  possessions,  that  the  progress  of 
Christianity  declined ;  and  now  that  men  have  ceased 
to  think  it  their  duty  to  go  unto  all  nations  so  soon 
as  they  unite  themselves  to  the  church  of  God,  they 
will  hardly  cast  of  their  abundance  into  the  treasury 
enough  to  keep  some  few  poor  missionaries  from 
perishing,  and  the  progress  of  our  blessed  faith  has 
nearly  ceased.  When  savage  nations  are  ready  to 
receive  Christ  with  open  arms,  and  nothing  is  wanted 
but  teachers,  we  find  that  faith  has  so  declined  in 
the  church,  that  one  generation  after  another  of  the 
heathen  world  perishes  in  darkness,  and  none  are 
going  forth  with  the  glad  tidings  of  the  Gospel.  If 
some,  more  zealous  than  the  rest,  leave  home  and 
friends  for  the  kingdom  of  God's  sake,  deeming  the 
eternal  felicity  of  their  fellow  creatures  of  more 
worth  than  a  few  hours,  days,  or  years  of  domestic 
ease  and  temporal  enjoyment  to  themselves  and  their 


224  A  MEMOIR 

families,  even  Christians  often,  instead  of  cheering 
them  on  their  career  of  sacred  self-dedication,  and 
rejoicing  that  Christ  has  found  a  faithful  advocate 
and  a  minister,  chill,  with  their  icy  judgments,  the 
very  heart's  blood  of  the  apostolic  follower  of  his 
crucified  Lord. 

It  will  be  remembered  that,  from  the  commence- 
ment, I  have  held  up  Jesus  Christ  as  the  standard  of 
moral  performances,  as  I  suppose  his  Gospel  to  be 
the  measure  of  moral  principles.  I  will  therefore 
now  forego  the  appeal  that  may  perhaps  be  termed 
a  reference  to  religious  feelings,  and  request  you  to 
examine  the  precept,  which  I  consider  as  the  basis 
of  all  moral  obligation,  "Men  should  do  unto  others 
as  they  would  wish  others  to  do  unto  them."  You 
are  in  the  enjoyment  of  peace  and  security;  equal 
rights  and  privileges  are  yours,  as  members  of  a  civi- 
lized community;  your  government  is  based  upon 
the  principles  of  a  just  equality;  and  your  institu- 
tions for  learning,  your  public  charities,  and  the 
meliorated  tone  of  morals,  manners,  and  customs  of 
your  country,  excite  your  triumph,  and  you  very 
truly  consider  your  national  blessings  as  incompara- 
bly greater  than  those  of  a  vast  portion  of  the  nations 
of  the  earth.  If  Providence,  then,  has  so  highly 
favoured  your  country,  should  you  not  extend  the 
blessings  of  civilization  and  Christianity  to  your 
fellow-men?  Should  you  not  endeavour  to  com- 
municate to  them  those  arts  of  happiness,  those 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  225 

morals,  manners  and  customs  which  have  rendered 
your  country  so  prosperous?  Reverse  the  condi- 
tion of  things,  and  consider  well,  if  you  were  in  the 
savage  ignorance  and  corruption  of  the  heathen  na- 
tions, do  you  think  it  would  be  desirable  that  be- 
nevolent men  should  leave  happy  homes  like  your 
present,  and  go  to  your  assistance,  and  instruct  you 
in  all  t;hat  ennobles,  elevates,  and  refines  a  people, 
and  makes  them  happy?  If  you  cannot  but  confess 
that  you  see  it  would  be  most  desirable,  in  your  own 
case,  to  obtain  such  aid  from  men,  then  consider  it 
is  an  indisputable  principle,  left  to  your  honest  ap- 
plication, to  "do  unto  all  men  as  you  would  wish 
them  to  do  unto  you,"  and  make  haste  to  fulfil  this 
acknowledged  duty ;  for  the  night  of  death  is  before 
you,  the  day  is  short.  Nor  has  it  a  certain  period, 
like  the  solar  day,  but  its  termination  arrives  gene- 
rally when  we  are  least  aware  of  its  approach  ? 
Therefore,  my  young  friends,  be  diligent,  and  delay 
not  to  commence  a  life  of  duty  to  your  fellow-crea- 
tures. This  is  more  fully  prescribed  to  you  in  the 
general  terms  of  this  command,  "do  unto  others  as 
you  would  wish  them  to  do  unto  you,"  than  it  could 
be  by  particular  specifications,  which  could  never 
reach,  as  this  does,  to  every  possible  case.  If  you 
know  that,  in  India,  men,  women  and  children  are 
sacrificed  to  Juggernaut  and  the  Ganges,  if  you 
know  that  the  devil  is  worshipped  in  Africa,  if  you 
know  that  the  Chinese  carry  a  little  misshapen  stone 


226  A  MEMOIR 

in  their  bosom,  which  they  select  and  purchase  in  a 
shop,  like  a  toy-shop,  and  that  they  pray  to  that 
stone,  you  know,  that  every  effort  you  make  lo  pro- 
mote the  knowledge  of  the  true  God  is  a  tacit  con- 
fession that  you  do  not  value  your  religious  privi- 
leges so  much  as  to  wish  to  contribute,  with  all  your 
might,  to  the  dispensation  of  your  faith  to  the  idola- 
trous heathen  world.  May  the  Father  of  our  spirits 
defend  you  from  such  a  distinct  evidence  of  your 
want  of  faith,  love  and  charity.  May  you  never  be 
confounded  in  the  day  of  judgment,  by  hearing  Christ 
say,  "  Depart  from  me,  ye  cursed — inasmuch  as  ye 
have  not  ministered  unto  the  least  of  my  brethren, 
ye  have  not  ministered  unto  me,"  Oh  !  beware  of 
selfishness  ;  beware  of  a  low  estimate  of  Christian 
duty;  beware  of  the  insidiousness  of  sins  of  omis- 
sion, which  corrode  the  soul  like  the  canker-worm, 
and  leave  it  utterly  unfit  for  the  glorious  purposes 
for  which  God  designed  it. 

She  thus  enforces  the  duty  of  meditation  : 
My  meditation  of  him  shafl  be  sweet. — Ps.  civ.  34. 

THERE  is  nothing  more  certain  than  that  abstrac- 
tion of  the  mind  from  external  things  is  necessary 
to  the  exercise  of  its  higher  powers.  A  child  soon 
learns,  if  it  has  a  difficult  lesson  to  study,  that  it 
must  find  some  quiet  spot,  secure  from  interruptions, 
or  external  things  will  occupy  such  a  portion  of  its 


0V  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        227 

attention  as  will  prevent  the  success  of  its  most 
strenuous  efforts  to  learn.  A  lawyer  who  has  a 
deeply  important  and  intricate  argument  to  make, 
before  a  court  of  justice,  retires  to  his  study,  and 
spends  hours  together  in  collecting  his  facts,  ar- 
ranging and  re-arranging  his  proofs,  and  examining 
the  grounds  of  his  arguments.  A  member  of  con- 
gress, who  desires  to  offer  some  resolution  which 
will  be  of  vital  importance  to  the  community,  gives 
his  undivided  attention  to  meditating  upon  every 
possible  light  in  which  the  subject  may  be  viewed, 
that  he  may  pen  it  so  as  to  conciliate  enemies,  as 
well  as  to  secure  friends  to  his  cause ;  and  he  amends 
and  re-amends  his  plans  to  avoid  misapprehension, 
before  he  submits  them  to  the  judgment  of  his  fel- 
low-men. How  imperiously  necessary  then  is  it, 
that,  when  we  would  communicate  our  thoughts  and 
wishes  to  the  most  high  God,  we  should  previously 
meditate  much  upon  the  nature  of  our  addresses  to 
him.  Would  we  confess  our  sins?  How  little  do  we 
often  realize  of  the  nature  of  sin  in  general,  or  our 
particular  offences  of  commission  or  omission.  But 
will  God  be  satisfied  with  our  taking  a  superficial 
view  of  our  delinquencies,  and  thus  making  to  him 
a  confession,  greatly  inadequate  to  the  actual  com- 
mission of  sin  which  he  has  registered  against  us? 
A  friend,  in  whom  you  greatly  confided,  has  injured 
you  deeply,  has  accused  you  of  some  dishonourable 
act,  which  your  soul  abhors;  but  you  love  him  still, 


228  A  MEMOIR 

for  he  was  the  friend  of  your  youth ;  and  although 
he  has  so  wounded  your  affections  you  would  wil- 
lingly open  your  heart  to  him,  if  he  would  but  re- 
turn, saying,  "  I  repent."  After  a  cruel  alienation, 
in  which  you  have  grieved  more  for  his  fault,  than 
for  your  own  injury,  he  comes  to  you  and  commences 
as  you  naturally  anticipate  an  acknowledgment  of 
his  offence;  your  disappointment  is  then  overpower- 
ing, while  he  says,  "  My  dear  friend,  I  have  come 
to-day  to  confess  that  I  passed  you  yesterday  very 
rudely,  but  it  was  quite  unintentional,  as  I  was  much 
engaged  at  the  moment,  and  did  not  perceive  you 
until  it  was  too  late  to  speak."  Now,  my  dear 
young  friends,  you  are  all  conscious  that  such  con- 
duct would  appear  to  you  so  trifling  as  to  be  highly 
insulting.  What!  you  would  think,  you  have  for- 
gotten the  most  serious  offence  against  friendship 
and  justice;  and  you  come  formally  to  make  confes- 
sion of  an  indifferent  accident!  And  yet,  let  me 
assure  you,  such  is  probably  your  own  daily  con- 
duct to  the  Creator,  Benefactor,  Father  of  your 
souls.  You  come  before  him  to  reinstate  yourself 
jn  his  favour,  by  a  confession  of  your  sins,  and  you 
have  never  even  caused  to  pass  in  review  before 
your  own  mind,  what  you  have  to  confess;  conse- 
quently, instead  of  being  filled  with  a  proper  sense 
of  penitence  for  having  committed  sins  against  a  glo- 
rious and  good  Being,  to  whom  you  are  responsible, 
and  who  remembers  so  well  that  which  you  have 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  229 

lost  sight  of,  your  spirit  is  slightly  moved,  and  can- 
not possibly  ohtain  his  forgiveness,  since  the  care- 
lessness  with   which  you   ask   it  is  an    additional 
offence.     It  is  not  thus  with  confession  alone;  but 
in  preferring  our  supplication,  it  is  absolutely  essen- 
tial that  we  should  reflect  deeply  upon  the  subject 
of  our  prayers.     For  this  purpose  we  should  often 
bring  before  our  minds  the  many  mercies  by  which 
we  are  surrounded,  which  are  absolutely  necessary 
to  our  happiness,  and  the  abstraction  of  one  of  which 
would  make  a  serious  inroad  upon  our  comfort.     Let 
us,  then,  meditate  upon  the  fitness  of  all  created 
things  to  promote  our  happiness,  and  on  the  misery 
produced  by  the  loss  of  any  one  of  a  thousand  bless- 
ings which  we  are  scarcely  conscious  of  enjoying. 
We  are  at  present  enduring,  perhaps  with  much  im- 
patience, the  rigors  of  a  severe  winter;  but  we  should 
consider  that  many  benefits  depend  upon  this  state 
of  things,  which  are  not  obvious  on  slight  observa- 
tion.    The  moral  and  physical  energies  are  greater 
in  cold  climates,  and  the  passions  consequently  are 
kept  under  better  restraint.     Many  other  desirable 
effects  are  produced  by  cold  into  which  we  should 
inquire.     We  are  surrounded,  perhaps,  by  pecuniary 
difficulties;   but,   meditating  upon   the  subject,  we 
discover  that  from  poverty  we  have  learned  humi- 
lity, and  a  content  which  we  knew  not  in  our  pros- 
perity.    We  may  be  too  young  to  have  experienced 
in  our  own  person  the  vicissitudes  of  life;  but  very 
20 


230  A  MEMOIR 

little  observation  and  proper  reflection  will  prove  to 
us  that,  where  the  experience  of  all  mankind  can  be 
ascertained,  it  is  often  diametrically  opposed  to  the 
course  of  our  anticipations;  and  thus  meditation 
itself,  in  many  ways,  may  convince  us  that  we 
should  reflect  seriously  upon  every  petition  before 
we  venture  to  make  it  to  him  who  knows  before  we 
ask  what  things  we  have  need  of;  and  perhaps  only 
requires  us  to  ask  that  we  may  become  more  sensi- 
ble of  the  many  mercies  we  are  accustomed  to  re- 
ceive at  his  hands.  These  slight  hints  may  suggest 
how  we  are  prepared  by  meditation  to  make  sup- 
plication to  God.  Would  we  offer  praise  or  thanks- 
giving, certainly  every  mental  faculty  must  be  put 
in  requisition,  and  stirred  up  to  its  utmost  energy. 
Natural  science  should  unfold  its  ample  page  to  fur- 
nish us  with  thoughts  worthy  of  the  Author  of  all 
things.  We  should  consider  the  anatomy  of  our 
own  bodies,  and  say  with  David,  "I  am  fearfully 
and  wonderfully  made."  We  should  meditate  upon, 
the  still  stranger  mysteries  of  our  moral  being,  until 
every  power  within  us  is  called  forth  to  offer  the 
homage  of  grateful  praise  to  him  who  made  us  in  his 
own  image,  and  "  set  his  eye  upon  our  hearts,  that 
we  might  see  the  glory  of  his  works."  How  dear 
to  us  are  the  hours  we  have  it  in  our  power  to  spend 
alone  with  a  beloved  friend!  How  sweet  the  free 
intercourse  of  affection!  And  where  we  cultivate 
the  habit  of  secret  communion  with  our  heavenly 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  231 

Father,  it  is  as  much  more  exquisite  in  its  enjoy- 
ment, as  he  is  more  capable  of  loving  our  souls,  and 
knowing  how  to  communicate  pleasure  to  them. 
Did  your  soul  ever  swell  with  sympathy  as  you 
heard  a  noble  sentiment  expressed?  Did  tears  of 
rapture  ever  burst  unbidden  from  your  eyes,  as  you 
listened  to  the  history  of  a  generous  deed?  How 
then  do  you  feel  while  the  God  of  nature  unfolds  to 
your  meditative  spirit  the  deep-laid  plan  of  moral 
probation,  by  which  his  fallen  creatures  have  been 
led  through  all  the  devious  paths  of  sin  and  sorrow, 
while  their  "  sins  were  made  to  rebuke  them,  and 
their  iniquities  to  correct  them,"  until  a  spirit  was 
prepared  within  them  to  receive  the  Messiah  ap- 
pointed before  the  foundations  of  the  world  were 
laid.  Have  you  contemplated  the  history  of  man's 
first  disobedience,  and  God's  long-suffering  and 
great  kindness,  until  the  words  have  burst  sponta- 
neously from  your  lips,  "Lord,  what  is  man,  that 
thou  art  mindful  of  him,  or  the  son  of  man,  that 
thou  visitest  him?" 

Meditation  alone  gives  us  just  comparative  views 
of  the  relative  importance  of  temporal  and  eternal 
things.  To  the  little,  busy,  bustling  essence,  a 
worldly  mind,  whose  restlessness  brings  it  in  con- 
tact at  every  instant  with  a  new  object  of  interest, 
a  moment  is  its  eternity;  and  therefore  it  is,  we 
have  that  wonderful  paradox,  so  constantly  exhibit- 
ed, a  being,  intended  for  glory,  honour,  and  immor- 


232  A  MEMOIR 

tality  in  eternal  life,  living  for  the  perishing  pursuits 
of  mortality.'    But  the  mind  which  delights  in  a 
continued  series  of  thoughts,  soon  learns  to  connect 
its  being  with  a  future  state,  and  to  estimate  the  su- 
perior importance  of  those  things  which   last  for 
ever,  to  those  which  shed  their  ephemeral  glories 
in  the  passing  sun-beams  that  gave  them  birth.     To 
the  worldly  mind,  the  stars  are  "little  patines  of 
bright  gold."      To  the  contemplative  mind,  they 
are  animated  globes,  evincing  by  their  forms,  their 
movements,  their  distances,  their  satellites  and  lu- 
minous atmospheres,  that  the  Omniscient  and  Om- 
nipotent, who  made  our  earth,  brought  forth  the 
host  of  them  together,  and  provided  for  them   a 
beautiful  equipoise  of  good.     Devotion  to  the  insig- 
nificant succession  of  those  trifles,  in  which  the  life 
of  the  worldling  is  for  ever  spent,  makes  that  next 
to  nothing,  to  nonentity,  a  nameless  trifle.     Medi- 
tation alone  can  produce  a  Newton;  and  how  much 
more  worthy  of  the  God  of  nature  the  admiration 
which  a  Newton  could  offer,  when  deep  and  careful 
meditation  on  those  phenomena,  which  pass  un- 
heeded in  the  trifler's  sight,  had  opened  to  his  cleared 
vision  the  long-hidden  mysteries  of  nature's  laws. 
When  at  once  he  beheld  the  glorious  orb  of  day 
swung  central  in  the  immensity  of  space,  and  mea- 
sured the  harmonious  movements  and  circling  orbits 
of  those  whirling  balls,  all,  perhaps,  like  our  own, 
redolent  of  life  and  bliss,  what  must  have  been  the 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        233 

emotion  which  agitated  so  vast  a  mind,  when  such 
a  perception  burst  fully  upon  it!  How  acceptable 
to  the  Author  of  creation  the  reflection  of  his  own 
glory,  thus  cast  back  to  him  from  his  creature's 
mind.  I  can  imagine  that  every  energy  of  the  soul 
might  be  thus  suspended  by  wonder  and  delight; 
and  that  the  vast  tumult  of  such  great  emotions 
might  find  no  utterance.  But  God  sees  and  delights 
in  beholding  the  glorious  ecstasy  of  god-like  minds. 
The  people  of  Syracuse  thought  Archimedes  a 
madman,  when  he  sprung  undressed  from  his  bath, 
and  ran  out  into  the  street,  crying  aloud,  "  I  have 
found  it,  I  have  found  it!"  And,  perhaps,  when 
he  explained  to  them  that  it  was  not  a  purse  of  gold 
or  a  diamond  ring  which  he  had  recovered,  but  an 
abstract  truth  that  he  had  found,  they  felt  still  more 
convinced  he  had  lost  his  senses.  But  it  was  the 
gratification  of  intense  desire  of  knowledge,  pro- 
duced by  the  mind's  having  long  revolved  anxiously 
the  subject,  which  caused  him  such  ecstasy.  In  this 
is  shown  the  importance  of  meditative  habits.  They 
increase  and  strengthen  the  desires;  and  a  proper 
use  or  an  abuse  of  meditation  is  indeed  the  founda- 
tion of  vice  or  virtue,  wisdom  or  folly.  Did  strong 
passions  spring  suddenly  into  existence  and  maturity, 
they  would  be  comparatively  blameless;  but  the 
strength  they  manifest  in  action  is  to  men  the  evi- 
dence of  their  habitual  and  undue  indulgence.  It 
is  graceful,  useful  and  pious  to  weep  for  the  loss  of 

20* 


234  A  MEMOIR 

a  friend;  but  the  mind  which  continues  absorbed  in 
the  contemplation  of  a  sorrow  loses  the  elasticity  of 
the  animal  spirits,  and  sinks  into  a  hopeless  dejec- 
tion. The  long-continued  entertainment  of  any 
emotion  of  anger  or  resentment  gives  it  a  strength, 
which  makes  it,  at  last,  the  despotic  tyrant  of  the 
mind.  This  only  proves  that  long-continued  and 
connected  action  of  thought  determines  the  character. 
If  you  would  be  wise,  think  frequently  and  uninter- 
ruptedly upon  subjects  of  improving  knowledge;  if 
you  would  be  virtuous,  give  yourself  to  meditating 
upon  the  means  of  being  useful  to  mankind:  if  you 
would  be  holy  and  heavenly-minded,  resign  your- 
self often  to  solitary  musing: 

"  And  hold  high  converse  with  the  viewless 
Spirits  that  walk  throughout  creation's  wonders, 
Hymning  their  Maker's  praise,  till  sun  and  moon, 
And  all  the  lesser  glories  of  the  sky,  on  your  rapt 
Ear,  in  spiritual  song,  pour  their  united 
Glorious  anthems,  through  the  vast,  deep 
Vaulted  aisles  of  meditation's  silent  fanes, 
Where  God  is  present,  and  the  world  shut  out" 

Thus  it  was  she  endeavoured  to  develop  the  mo- 
ral faculties,  and  cultivate  the  spiritual  affections  of 
her  pupils,  teaching  them  that  their  present  happi- 
ness and  their  future  bliss  are  inseparably  bound 
together,  both  alike  springing  from  the  common 
fount  of  that  Spirit  which,  as  a  well  of  water,  springs 
up  to  eternal  life  in  the  bosom  of  the  faithful  child 
of  God. 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         235 

Delicate  health  had,  as  we  before  remarked,  been 
the  allotment  of  Miss  Mercer,  from  a  very  early  period 
of  her  life;  but  some  years  before  it  became  the  means 
of  liberating  her  struggling  spirit  from  the  bondage  of 
the  flesh,  the  symptoms  of  consumption  of  the  lungs 
became  too  plainly  manifest  to  permit  any  hesitation 
in  the  minds  of  her  friends  that  her  course  was  rapidly 
drawing  to  a  close.  What  her  own  opinions  were 
on  the  subject,  no  one  knew,  as  she  did  not  make  it 
a  theme  for  conversation.  The  spirituality  of  her 
soul  was  ever  manifestly  on  the  increase,  and  though 
bound  down  to  the  earth  by  the  necessities  of  the 
circumstances  in  which  she  was  placed,  she  was 
ever  like  one  struggling  to  get  free,  having  her 
conversation  in  heaven.  Her  letters  were  generally 
short,  and  occupied  with  the  needful  details  of  the 
business  concerns  of  her  school  and  other  affairs. 
Yet  even  on  such  subjects  they  bore  the  impress  of 
the  mint  in  which  they  were  coined,  and  carried 
with  them  the  evidence  that  they  were  the  produc- 
tion of  a  mind  fixed  on  heavenly  things.  Her  anxi- 
ety for  the  welfare  of  the  children  committed  to  her 
care  knew  no  diminution.  Nightly  visits  to  their 
chambers  while  they  slept;  fires  kindled  with  her 
own  hands  when  too  feeble  to  leave  her  own  room 
with  propriety;  letters  to  their  parents  giving  in- 
formation of  the  most  minute  particulars  regarding 
their  health,  and  comfort,  and  progress, — all  spoke 
in  the  unmistakeable  language  of  sincerity,  of  her 


236  A  MEMOIR 

unceasing  care  for  them.  She  had  always  felt  the 
responsibility  of  thus  assuming  a  parent's  place,  and 
familiarity  with  its  duties  had  not  diminished  her 
estimate  of  it;  and  even  after  her  pupils  had  passed 
from  under  her  control,  she  continued  to  sympathize 
with  their  sorrows  and  griefs,  and  to  enter  into  their 
joys.  She  was  ever  rejoiced  at  receiving  letters 
from  them,  and  the  following  extracts  from  her  re- 
plies to  some  will  exhibit  the  principles  with  which 
she  endeavoured  to  prepare  them  to  meet  the  temp- 
tations, or  endure  the  trials  of  life,  as  their  path  led 
them  through  one  or  the  other.  Nor  must  it  be 
forgotten  that  what  she  inculcated  on  her  pupils, 
whether  present  or  absent  from  her,  she  practised 
herself.  Her  sun  was  approaching  its  decline,  and 
shone  pure  and  bright, 

"  Soft  as  that  hallowed  light  that  burst  from  heaven, 
When  angel  minstrels  to  the  shepherds  sung." 

One  in  daily  intercourse  with  her,  remarks:  "She 
seemed  already  in  spirit  an  inhabitant  of  that  hea- 
ven toward  which  she  was  hastening." 

A  pupil  to  whom  she  was  much  attached,  and 
whose  course  she  watched  with  affectionate  solici- 
tude, wrote  to  solicit  her  advice  on  the  subject  of 
worldly  conformity ;  to  whom  she  returned  the  fol- 
lowing reply: — 

"I  hope,  my  dear  Mary,  you  have  thought  of  all 
the  various  sources  of  anxiety  which  occupy  me  at 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  237 

this  season,  and  attributed  to  the  only  true  cause, 
my  apparent  neglect  of  your  sweet  letters. 

"  Never  doubt,  my  dear  child,  that  my  heart  is 
deeply  interested  in  your  welfare,  and  that  my  ad- 
vice shall  never  be  withheld  when  it  can  guard  you 
from  danger,  or  incite  you  to  what  is  good. 

"  The  subject  upon  which  you  ask  my  opinion,  is 
one  which  has  been  often  and  much  discussed,  and 
many  ingenious  things  have  been  said  upon  the  popu- 
lar side,  calculated  to  bewilder  the  conscience  of  a 
young  casuist:  but,  my  dear,  I  believe  every  thing 
may  be  answered  which  can  be  urged  upon  that  side. 

"  If  all  were  true  Christians,  would  there  be  any 
full-dressed  balls — any  Parisian  fashions?  Would 
the  extremes  of  poverty  and  suffering,  of  splendour 
and  luxury  be  found  in  the  adjoining  houses?  And 
would  women,  stifling  all  kind  and  generous  sympa- 
thies, pass  by  the  door  of  indigence  and  sorrow  to 
revel  in  thoughtless  vanity,  in  the  dwellings  of  self- 
ish sensuality? — I  think  we  may  answer, — certainly 
not.  If  all  were  real  Christians,  we  should  love 
our  neighbours  as  ourselves.  The  poor  Samaritan 
would  be  owned  as  our  neighbour,  and  to  pour  oil 
and  balm  into  the  wounds  of  the  suffering  would 
be  as  much  the  pleasure  of  every  Christian  as  it 
was  that  of  their  Lord  and  Master.  Now,  if  all  this 
is  true, — and  who  can  deny  it? — then  all  the  world 
are  wrong  in  the  direction  of  their  tastes — wrong 
in  the  appropriation  of  their  time,  and  wealth,  and 


238  A  MEMOIR 

whatsoever  other  talents  the  Lord  has  committed 
to  them;  and  the  best  service  that  can  be  done  them, 
is  to  prove  practically  (so  that  they  cannot  deny  it) 
that  the  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus  has  a.  pleasure 
in  serving  the  Lord,  in  labouring  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  ignorant  and  the  relief  of  the  indigent, 
that  the  worldly-minded  cannot  have  in  all  his 
selfish  pursuits.  Live  so  as  to  prove  this,  my  own 
dear  Mary,  and  you  will  do  more  for  the  peace  and 
comfort  of  those  around  you,  as  well  as  for  the  fu- 
ture happiness  of  your  own  soul,  than  in  any  con- 
formity to  what  you  do  not  approve. 

"Be  cautious  in  condemning  others,  except  by 
the  tenor  of  your  own  life;  but  never  give  in  to 
what  your  heart  condemns  from  a  weak  fear  of 
giving  offence.  I  have  for  a  considerable  portion 
of  my  own  life  been  contending  with  these  sophis- 
tical suggestions  of  the  enemy  of  souls;  but  "resist 
the  devil,  and  he  will  flee  from  you."  When  he 
sees  you  are  bent  upon  serving  God,  all  he  can  do 
is  to  persuade  you  that  you  are  wrong  in  your  ideas 
of  religion  and  holiness,  and  that  you  must  serve 
the  Lord  without  appearing  different  from  his  liege 
subjects.  Now  this  is  a  trick  of  the  old  Adam, 
and  without  affecting  any  thing,  just  follow  that 
which  is  right;  spend  the  short  span  of  your  life  in 
doing  all  the  good  you  can,  and  let  the  appearances 
follow  in  regular  sequence  from  the  nature  of  things. 
It  is  natural  to  look  for  figs  on  a  fig-tree.  It  is 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         239 

nothing  but  natural  to  perceive  good  works  abound- 
ing where  persons  are  under  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  There  can  be  no  pride,  arrogance, 
vanity,  pharisaical  boasting,  or  despising  others,  but 
modest  and  humble  zeal  to  do  all  one's  duty,  and 
when  it  is  done,  to  say  we  are  unprofitable  ser- 
vants; to  rejoice  in  the  Lord  continually,  because 
of  his  infinite  mercy  to  sinners;  to  condemn  no  one, 
because  we  know  we  deserve  to  be  condemned  our- 
selves. These  are  the  signs  of  being  in  Christ." 
And  again  she  writes  to  the  same. 

MY  DEAREST  MART: 

1  hope  you  have  not  thought  it  hard,  that  I  should 
be  so  long  in  answering  your  letter — most  welcome 
letter.  The  truth  is,  I  returned  to  such  a  state  of 
confusion  here,  and  had  such  difficulty  in  getting 
ready  for  the  reception  of  the  girls,  that  I  could  not 
spare  one  hour.  Even  when  the  1st  of  October 
came,  I  was  far  from  being  ready,  and  this  is  the 
first  day  I  could  spare  an  hour;  yet,  do  not  believe, 
my  sweet  and  very  dear  child,  that  I  did  not  thank 
our  heavenly  Father  for  the  blessing  which  he  has 
shed  on  you.  Oh !  may  its  healing  influence  be 
daily  stronger  and  stronger,  until  your  whole  being 
shall  partake  of  the  Divine  nature. 

Allow  nothing — nothing — neither  repioach  nor 
ridicule,  neither  the  allurements  of  society  nor  the 
example  of  others,. to  draw  you  off,  and  "separate 
you  from  the  love  of  God  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus 


240  A  MEMOIR 

our  Lord."  And  above  all  things,  my  dear,  honour 
your  profession  by  a  consistent  walk.  Study,  with 
a  serious  apprehension  of  the  awful  holiness  of  the 
great  Jehovah,  to  do  nothing  in  your  Christian  cha- 
racter unadvisedly,  but  remember  that  Christ  is 
judged  by  a  thoughtless  world,  from  the  walk  and 
conversation  of  his  people.  It  is  not  your  own' 
character  which  is  at  stake,  but  it  is  the  character 
of  your  Master;  therefore  be  wise  as  a  serpent, 
while  you  are  harmless  as  a  dove.  "Whatsoever 
things  are  lovely,  whatsoever  things  are  of  good  re- 
port, if  there  be  any  virtue,  if  there  be  any  praise, 
think  of  these  things."  Be  a  thousand  times  more 
diligent  than  before  in  the  performance  of  all  your 
duties,  and  do  all  with  a  cheerful  spirit  Make  re- 
ligion lovely  and  attractive  to  all  who  witness  its 
power  in  you;  and  pray  every  day  that  the  Lord 
would  give  you  grace  to  honour  him,  and  so  to  set 
forth  his  praise  by  your  actions,  that  men  may  see 
your  good  works  and  glorify  your  Father  which  is 
in  heaven. 

I  find,  with  some  persons,  our  recent  interest  in 
the  subject  of  religion  is  not  very  popular.  That, 
and  my  being  so  long  away,  without  getting  my 
circular  published,  has  thrown  me  behindhand.  I 
shall  begin  with  forty-six  scholars,  not  counting 
Grace  and  Jane,  although,  to  secure  my  full  number, 
I  engaged  several  more  than  fifty;  I  did  intend  to 
confine  myself  to  forty,  but  the  arrangements  of  this 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        241 

year  have  been  so  expensive  that  I  ought  to  have  my 
full  number  to  meet  all  my  payments. 

You  cannot  think  how  beautifully  every  thing  is 
arranged.  The  dressing-room  is  the  most  complete 
establishment;  I  have  the  most  perfect  pump,  which 
draws  the  water  from  the  bottom  of  the  well  into 
the  dressing-room  ;  then  a  large  boiler  with  a  flue, 
which  passes  entirely  round  the  room,  and  will  keep 
it  perfectly  warm  at  all  hours;  a  large  reservoir  for 
warm  water, and  a  spacious  bath;  the  compartments 
are  furnished  each  with  a  cup  and  basin,  and  there 
can  hardly  be  any  thing  sweeter  or  more  convenient. 
Then  there  is  a  dry  walk  for  the  morning;  but  I 
cannot  tell  you  half  I  have  done  since  you  were  here. 
I  wish  you  would  come  over  and  see  every  thing, 
and  tell  me,  my  dear,  all  your  recent  experience. 

Farewell,  my  dear  child ;  hold  fast  to  the  anchor 
of  your  hopes,  and  may  the  Giver  of  all  grace  make 
you  truly  and  wholly  his  own,  is  the  prayer  of, 
Your  tenderly  attached  friend, 
M.  MERCER. 

I  wish  you  and  Rosina  would  take  advantage  of 
this  occasion  to  come  over ;  I  have  so  few  with  me 
that  I  should  enjoy  your  visit  of  all  things.  Give 
my  most  affectionate  remembrances  to  your  papa, 
mamma,  and  your  sisters. 

To  one  suffering  under  bodily  disease,  she  thus 
writes: 

21 


242  A  MEMOIR 

"  Your  letter,  my  very  dear  young  friend,  which 
I  received  by  the  last  mail  but  one,  found  me  in  the 
midst  of  the  bustle  of  dismissing  my  school  for  va- 
cation; and  I  postponed  answering  it  until  I  could 

command  an  hour  of  quiet.    Yesterday  Miss  C , 

Miss  I ,  and  the  last  but  one  of  the  girls  who 

are  to  go,  left  us;  and  this  morning  I  have  seated 
myself  to  express  to  you  my  sincere  grief  in  your 
suffering,  and  at  the  same  time  the  consolation  I 
derive  from  hearing  from  your  dear  aunt  how  pa- 
tient the  grace  of  God  has  made  you  under  such 
accumulated  trials.  Praised  be  his  holy  name,  that 
in  the  midst  of  his  chastenings  he  has  poured  out 
his  precious  consolations  upon  you,  and  enabled  you 
to  kiss  the  rod.  Yours,  dearest  Mary,  are  afflictions 
less  severe  than  those  of  Job;  but  oh  !  how  far  more 
powerful  the  means  provided  to  sustain  your  faith 
than  those  which  kept  that  of  the  suffering  patriarch 
from  fainting.  From  the  depths  of  his  grief,  he 
cried  out, '  Oh  !  that  thou  wouldst  appoint  me  a  set 
time,  and  remember  me.'  But  you,  my  dear  child, 
God  has  remembered  in  his  mercy  in  the  fulness  of 
time,  and  the  set  time  of  your  salvation  has  come. 
Oh!  what  a  difference  !  Job  saw  as  through  a  glass, 
darkly,  and  he  exclaimed,  <  I  know  that  my  Re- 
deemer liveth,  and  that  he  shall  stand  at  the  latter 
day  upon  the  earth;'  but  your  Redeemer  has  been 
fully  revealed;  He  has  stood  upon  the  earth,  He  has 
finished  the  work  of  your  salvation,  and  now  He  is 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  243 

with  you  always  as  the  Comforter  whose  strength  is 
sufficient  for  all  your  need.  I  should  be  very  thank- 
ful if  I  could  see  you,  and  talk  with  you  of  the 
mercies  of  God  in  Christ;  but,  if  we  must  not  in  the 
flesh,  in  the  spirit  we  are  permitted  to  commune, 
and  this  is  far  beyond  any  earthly  blessing.  You 
will  hear  with  pleasure,  I  am  sure,  that  six  of  our 
little  flock  last  Sunday  united  themselves  with  the 
Saviour  in  the  communion  of  his  body  and  blood. 
God  grant  them  grace  to  be  faithful.  Every  one 
here,  my  dear  child,  feels  the  deepest  sympathy  in 
your  sufferings,  and  all  unite  in  praying  to  God  (if 
it  seems  good  in  his  eyes,)  to  raise  you  up  to  health 
and  usefulness ;  if  not,  that  he  would  himself  be  with 
you  in  all  your  trials,  smooth  the  bed  of  sickness, 
strengthen  the  fainting  spirit,  confirm  your  faith, 
brighten  your  hopes,  give  you  clearer  views  of 
eternal  peace  and  joy  in  heaven,  and  never  leave 
you  until  he  places  you  with  him  who  purchased 
you  with  the  precious  price  of  his  own  blood,  that 
you  might  be  like  him,  and  be  with  him  for  ever- 
more,at  the  right  handof  the  throne  of  glory.  Amen, 
so  be  it.  With  sincerest  affection,  I  am, 

"Dear ,  your  friend  in  Christ, 

"M.  MERCER." 

And  again,  after  the  lapse  of  a  year  : 

"I  am  afraid,  my  dear ,  you  have  thought  we 

were  all  too  busy  at  Belmont  to  remember  our  ab- 


244  A  MEMOIR" 

sent,  friends;  but  indeed  it  has  not  been  so,  and  often 
in  our  conversations  we  speak  of  you,  and  when  our 
united  prayers  are  addressed  to  God  for  his  blessing 
and  consolation  for  those  who  are  suffering  in  mind 
or  body,  we  especially  pray  fora  blessing  upon  you. 
Dear  child,  what  an  alleviation  of  affliction  it  is  to 
remember  that  those  whom  God  loves  he  purifies  in 
the  fire;  and  how  sweet  to  lie  passive  in  the  arms 
of  redeeming  love,  and  acknowledge  that  we  have 
no  need  of  any  work  of  our  own  to  please  the 
Father,  because  he  loves  us  for  the  blessed  Saviour's 
sake;  and  that  the  more  we  feel  our  unworthiness, 
the  more  we  are  enabled  to  appreciate  the  Lamb  who 
was  slain  for  us,  and  made  a  full  and  sufficient  sa- 
crifice and  oblation  for  all  our  sins.  I  should  have 

written  to  you  before,  dear  ,  but  my  school 

opened  this  session  with  a  much  larger  number  of 
scholars;  and  many  new  ones  demand  much  in- 
creased care  in  every  way  ;  it  is  almost  like  opening 
a  new  school,  and  for  the  last  four  or  five  weeks  we 
have  had  the  prevailing  influenza  among  us.  To- 
day school  opened  after  Christmas  holidays,  and  at 
this  moment  the  pupils  are  in  the  school-room,  with 
Miss  Condy  in  the  desk,  in  study-hour;  and  I  have 
seated  myself  to  write  you  a  few  lines  of  affectionate 
remembrance,  and  to  beg  to  hear  from  you  how  you 
are,  and  whether  you  are  enabled  to  glorify  your 
heavenly  Father  by  a  patient  waiting  on  Him  in  the 
weariness  of  a  sick  room.  I  have  just  received  from 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  245 

New  York  a  present  of  a  little  book,  which  I  should 
greatly  love  to  send«you.  It  is  the  *  Memoir  of  an 
Only  Daughter,'  who,  during  a  long,  painful  illness, 
gave  such  precious  evidences  of  willingness  to  suffer 
her  heavenly  Father's  will,  that  it  was  the  greatest 
consolation  to  her  parents.  I  do  not  think  we  ever 
estimate  the  infinite  goodness  of  God  until  we  have 
felt  that  it  is  good  for  us  that  we  have  been  afflicted. 
So  long  as  the  fleeting  world  and  its  perishable  pur- 
suits keep  our  hopes  of  worldly  happiness  and  dis- 
tinction alive,  ambition  and  the  love  of  pleasure  con- 
tinue to  disquiet  us;  but  when  long  sickness  has 
taught  us  by  sad  experience  how  little  earthly  things 
are  to  be  trusted  to,  we  perceive  the  superior  excel- 
lence of  those  objects  of  desire  and  hope  which  are 
at  God's  right  hand  for  evermore.  The  dear  girls 
here  afford  me  but  too  many  affecting  proofs  of  this. 
They  are  so  young,  so  full  of  natural  sympathy  with 
the  world  and  worldly  things,  that  they  continually 
fall  back  in  the  walk  of  faith.  At  this  season  of  the 
year,  however,  I  seldom  see  much  attention  to  re- 
ligion, and  must  continue,  in  implicit  confidence 
that  the  seed  of  the  word  will  bring  forth  its  ap- 
pointed fruit,  to  labour  and  wait  patiently  on  the 
Lord.  Dear  Mr.  Adie  comes  to  us  very  constantly, 

and  does  all  that  he  can  for  us.    is  not  with  us 

this  winter,  but  will  return  in  the  spring.     We  all 

love  you,  dear  Mary,  and  poor often  comes  to 

me  to  ask  if  1  have  heard  lately  from  you.     Girls, 
21* 


246  A  MEMOIR 

teachers,  servants,  all  desire  to  hear  good  news  from 
you.  Will  you  write  and  tell  us  how  you  are,  and 
if  you  are  not  well  enough,  give  my  love  to  your 
kind  aunt,  and  ask  her,  please  to  write  for  you,  and 
do  not  omit  to  say  how  your  mamma  is ;  and  be  as- 
sured that  I  take  the  deepest  interest,  not  only  in 
your  spiritual  and  eternal  welfare:  but  that  it  may 
please  our  heavenly  Father  to  strew  your  path 
through  this  vale  of  tears  with  every  comfort  and 
pleasure  which  is  consistent  with  your  eternal  feli- 
city, is  the  sincere  and  devout  prayer  of 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"  M.  MERCER." 

"The  girls  would  write,  or  send  messages,  but 
are  all  in  school." 

To  one  of  her  pupils,  suffering  from  bereavement: 

"I  have  been  thinking  of  you,  my  dear , 

with  much  affection  and  sympathy  ever  since  you 
left  us,  but  you  know  how  impossible  it  is  for  me  to 
command  a  quiet  hour  to  devote  to  a  friend,  and  I 
knew  that  your  time  was  most  usefully  employed. 
I  could  not  wish  you  to  be  in  a  school  where  you 
would  learn  more  important  lessons.  May  God 
bless  them,  dearest ,  not  only  to  your  everlast- 
ing good,  but  to  your  temporal  peace  and  happiness. 
Nothing,  my  child,  is  more  manifest  to  the  Chris- 
tian, than  that  such  afflictions  and  bereavements  as 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  247 

our  heavenly  Father  inflicts  upon  us  are  necessary 
to  wean  our  thoughts  and  affections  from  worldly 
things.  The  things  which  perish,  we  must  learn  to 
give  up  cheerfully;  the  friends  that  are  taken  away, 
and  leave  us  here,  we  must  learn  to  consider  as  gone 
before  us,  and  resign  them  to  our  universal  Parent. 
Thus,  when  we  are  taught  of  God  to  acquiesce  in 
His  best,  wisest,  will,  all  contention  of  our  rebel- 
lious wills  subsides,and  peace  settles  like  a  dove  upon 
the  soul :  this  is  that {  peace  of  God  which  passeth 
all  understanding.9  Soon  may  you  see  ils  power- 
ful consolation  poured  out  upon ,  in  whose  griefs 

I  have  deeply  sympathized,  although  I  felt  that  as 
there  is  a  joy,  so  there  is  a  sorrow  in  which  the 
stranger  meddleth  not,  and  I  have  blessed  God,  that 
he  who  saith,  <Lo,  I  am  with  3^ou  always,'  has  pro- 
mised himself  to  be  our  Comforter;  that  He  is  at 
hand,  ever  in  the  hearts  of  those  whose  bruised  and 
broken  spirits  are  looking  to  Him  for  consolation. 

"I  heard,  dear ,  soon  after  you  went  down, 

that  you  were  to  be  confirmed,  .and  I  have  been 
wishing  much  to  hear  that  you  had  thus  entered 
upon  the  covenanted  privileges  of  the  external 
church.  I  am  sure  you  will  be  very  much  strength- 
ened by  feeling  that  you  obeyed  the  command  of 
our  Lord,  and,  by  your  own  voluntary  act,  confessed 
Him  before  men,  knowing  that  He  has  pledged  him- 
self, if  you  do,  to  confess  you  before  the  angels. 
Let  me  advise  you,  dear  child,  if  you  have  joined  the 


248  A  MEMOIR 

visible  church,  to  have  much  in  mind  that  the  church 
upon  earth  is  visible  by  the  spiritual  light  which 
shines  through  our  actions,  making  it  evident  that 
Christ  dwells  in  us,  the  hope  of  glory.  Let  it  be 
seen  that  a  higher  and  more  elevated  view  of  the 
privileges,  responsibilities,  and  pleasures  of  human 
life,  prove  you  to  be  a  co-heir  with  Christ  in  eternal 
glory.  Does  it  not  seem  to  you  a  mystery  too 
wonderful  to  believe,  and  will  you  not  resolve,  in 
gratitude  for  his  wonderful  love,  to  love  him  su- 
premely, considering  the  honour  of  his  name,  and 
the  advancement  of  his  kingdom  upon  earth,  as  the 
object  best  worth  living  for?  Will  you  not  devote 
yourself,  all  that  you  have,  all  that  you  are,  to  His 
service?  knowing  that  this  is  the  condition  of  the 
covenant  of  eternal  life." 

Miss  Mercer  had  devoted  herself  to  the  examina- 
tion of  the  nature  of  the  Sacraments,  and  a  careful  in- 
vestigation of  the  position  they  should  occupy  in  the 
estimation  of  the  faithful  believer  in  Jesus.  Among 
her  papers,  there  is  a  long  list  of  references  to  passages 
of  the  word  of  God,  establishing  their  authority,  and 
throwing  light  upon  the  purpose  jof  their  institution 
and  the  character  of  their  influence  on  the  soul; 
which  was  evidently  designed  to  furnish  the  notes 
on  which  she  founded  her  instructions  to  her  pupils. 
As  it  would  be  impossible  to  clothe  the  skeleton 
with  the  connecting  points  and  arguments  by  which 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.          249 

its  positions  are  sustained,  there  could  be  no  interest 
in  it  to  the  reader  not  accustomed  to  follow  her 
modes  of  thinking  and  illustrations. 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  to  two  of  her 
pupils,  written  in  September,  1843,  will  better  ex- 
hibit her  views  on  the  subject  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

"I  fear  my  clear  little  god-daughter  has  thought  me 
very  remiss  in  not  writing  before,  but  my  time  has 
been  filled  with  such  a  variety  of  occupations,  and  I 
have  been  flying  about  at  such  a  rate,  that  I  have  not 
really  had  leisure  for  letter  writing,  and  you  know, 
dear  Nannie,  you  challenge  me  to  a  discussion  which 
might  have  involved  me  in  trouble,  in  these  dis- 
turbed times,  when  you  asked  me  what  I  thought 
of  Dr.  Pusey's  sermon  ?  It  would  have  taken  no 
time,  dearest  Nannie,  to  tell  you  that  I  really  thought 
nothing  of  it; — but  as  many  persons  disagree  with 
me,  I  should  think  myself  bound  by  the  apostolic 
injunction  to  "Be  ready  to  give  a  reason  of  the  hope 
that  is  in  me."  I  tell  you,  then,  since  you  are  in- 
quiring upon  this  subject,  that  if  I  understand  Doc- 
tor Pusey  and  his  followers  who  are  now  producing 
such  a  sensation  in  the  world,  they  are  contending 
insidiously  for  an  exclusive  authority  in  the  Priest- 
hood, to  extend  according  to  their  own  pleasure  the 
bread  of  life,  and  to  deny  it  to  whom  they  will,  by 
establishing  the  doctrine  that  the  Eucharist  involves 
a  miracle  by  which  the  communicant  actually  eats 


250  A  MEMOIR 

the  flesh  and  drinks  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God 
which  was  shed  upon  the  cross.  Now  this  I  hold 
to  be  not  only  contrary  to  Revelation,  but  contrary 
to  possibility:  were  I  to  enter  upon  my  reasons  for 
so  thinking,  I  should  transcend  greatly  the  limits 
of  a  letter,  but  I  mean  to  make  the  Eucharist  the 
subject  of  one  of  our  sweet  Bible  lessons  when 
school  meets.  The  Bible,  after  all,  is  its  own  best 
interpreter." 

A  former  pupil,  at  the  time  of  writing  an  as- 
sistant in  her  school,  had  apologized  for  not  return- 
ing at  the  time  of  opening,  by  expressing  her  wish 
to  remain  in  Baltimore  for  the  purpose  of  partici- 
pating in  this  ordinance.  Miss  M.  replies, 

Mr  DEAR  GOD-DAUGHTER: 

I  thank  you  for  your  sweet  letter,  and  cannot  but 
rejoice  that  you  have  such  a  motive  for  wishing  to 
remain  in  Baltimore.  May  God  bless  the  precious 
ordinance  to  the  purifying  and  strengthening  of 
your  soul.  May  you  be  enabled  to  discern  the 
Lord's  body  in  His  holy  sacraments,  not  according 
to  the  unprofitable  sense  which  He  himself  con- 
demns, but  as  having  an  earnest  realizing  percep- 
tion, discrimination,  and  consideration  of  the  real 
agony  and  passion  of  His  crucified  body,  by  which 
He  redeemed  you  from  the  sentence  which  had 
gone  out  from  the  infinite  justice  of  a  Holy  God 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        251 

against  all  transgression  of  His  law.  Surely  they 
who  made  themselves  drunk,  committing  excesses 
at  the  Lord's  table,  had  no  such  spiritual  discern- 
ment or  perception  that  Christ  had  actually  suffered 
in  the  body  for  them. 

Thus  it  is,  dear  H ,  that  Christians  feed  on 

Christ's  body  by  faith  with  thanksgiving.  Our  souls, 
born  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  are  nourished  unto  eter- 
nal life  by  the  worthiness  of  the  sacrifice  and  atone- 
ment made  in  His  flesh;  and  if  we  do  not  discern 
this  fact  in  the  communion  of  the  Eucharist,  we 
profane  its  sanctity,  by  taking  away  its  affecting 
signification.  I  have  not  a  moment  more  than  to 

add  that  Miss is  coming  home  again,  and  we 

shall  have  a  sweet  domicile.  Ever  with  prayer  to 
our  Heavenly  Father,  that  He  may  have  you  in  his 
holy  keeping,  your  affectionate  friend, 

M.  MERCER. 

To  the  same  lady,  at  another  time,  she  thus  writes 
on  a  scrap  of  paper: 

has  given  me  this  little  sheet  to  write 

you  a  few  words  of  kindness,  my  own  dear  God- 
child, which  I  hope  will  set  your  pen  to  running. 
I  long  to  receive  the  assurance  of  your  unabated 
enjoyment  of  the  "love  of  God,"  which  He  has  so 
graciously  poured  out  upon  you. 

This  morning  at  prayers  I  thought  I  felt  a  more 
distinct  and  realizing  sense  of  the  preciousness  of 


252  A  MEMOIR 

Christ's  plan  of  atonement  by  uniting  in  Himself 
the  majesty  and  glory  of  the  Godhead  with  the  hu- 
mility of  the  man,  than  I  ever  felt  before,  and  I 
thought,  "  Never  man  spake  like  this  man."  I  won- 
dered at  the  "  beauty  of  holiness,"  the  splendour 
of  Divinity  softened  down  to  our  feeble  vision  by  the 
veil  of  humanity,  by  the  sympathies,  the  sorrows, 
the  deep  tenderness  of  our  nature, ....  Dear,  dear 
H.,  ever  yours  in  the  sacred  bonds  of  Christian 
love,  M.  MERCER. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  letters  written 
to  a  favourite  pupil,  who  had  engaged  in  the  same 
path  of  duty  as  that  so  faithfully  trod  by  Miss  Mer- 
cer; one,  of  whom  she  always  spoke  with  the  warm- 
est affection,  and  in  whose  welfare  she  was  especial- 
ly interested. 

Mr  DEAR : 

My  confidence  in  the  generous  affection  which 
you  have  always  shown  me  makes  me  trust,  that, 
badly  as  I  have  treated  your  many  kind  letters,  you 
will  still  be  glad  to  receive  this;  indeed,  my  dear 

,  if  you  examine   this  handwriting,  you   will 

find  that  I  am  really  losing  the  use  of  my  pen.  I 
have,  in  truth,  all  this  spring  and  summer,  been  al- 
most incapable  of  writing;  for  my  mind  has  been 
disabled  by  rheumatism  in  my  head,  and  my  hands 
have  been  rigid  with  the  weakness  of  my  muscles, 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.       253 

until  I  can  scarcely  write  legibly ;  the  lines  go 
jerking  here  and  there  as  if  I  had  St.  Vitus's  dauce. 
Notwithstanding,  I  am  better  since  I  take  constant 
exercise  in  the  open  air;  and  if  you  do  not  make 
your  appearance  here  very  soon  with  the  children, 
you  will  see  me  at  West  River  before  you  get  here. 
I  am  so  much  occupied  now  with  closing  the 
school,  that  I  can  attend  to  little  else :  accounts  to 
settle,  certificates  to  make  out,  examinations  to 
close.  It  is  a  busy  and  a  very  painful  scene, — so 
many  interesting  young  persons  dispersing  never  to 

meet  again.     The  seem    greatly    distressed. 

is  very  anxious  to  remain;  indeed,  there  are 

many  of  the  girls  who  would  be  greatly  improved 
by  returning,  and  I  mourn  to  think  how  they  are 
launching  out  into  the  world,  anticipating  nothing 
but  pleasure,  and  destined  to  meet  with  disappoint- 
ment and  griefs  at  every  step.  Several  things  have 
lately  occurred  to  make  me  feel  the  importance  of 
early  education,  so  much,  that  I  would  not  give  up 

keeping  school,  for  the  world.     Dear ,  it  is  a 

great  Christian  privilege  to  form  the  principles  of 
little  children.  Never  relax  your  energies,  but  be 
sure  "your  labours  are  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 
I  have  this  morning  read  a  report  of  the  condition 
of  the  children  of  the  colliers  in  England,  that  has 
set  in  energetic  motion  every  drop  of  blood  in  my 
heart.  Oliver  Twist  and  Squeers'  school,  the  small 
servant,  and  Bulwer's  factory  children,  are  all  feli- 
22 


254  A  MEMOIR 

citous  pictures  of  infantine  happiness  compared  with 
these  little  victims.  Teach  as  long  as  you  can,  dear 

,  and  thank  God  for  giving  you  the    noblest 

employment  on  earth,  and  some  of  these  days  our 
heavenly  Father  may  enable  you  and  me  to  set  up 
a  Charity  School  on  a  noble  plan." 

Thus  highly  did  she  estimate,  as  a  privilege,  what 
inferior  minds  regard  as  servile  duty;  and  thus, 
though  worn  out  by  labour  and  disease,  did  her 
ardent  love  to  her  Redeemer,  and  anxious  interest 
in  the  lambs  of  his  flock,  induce  her  to  anticipate, 
as  her  greatest  blessing  upon  earth,  the  opportunity 
for  more  extended  labour  in  his  cause. 

After  the  lapse  of  a  year  she  again  writes  to  the 
same  young  friend,  to  whom  she  had  confided  the 
education  of  a  family  especially  dear  to  her. 

"I  am  grieved,  indeed,  my  own  dear  little , 

to  hear  from ,  that  you  were  not  well,  and  that 

your  health  and  your  blessed  spirit  were  suffering 
together,  and,  I  assure  you,  I  have  thought  of  you 
constantly  since.  There  are  many  mysteries  in  the 
ways  of  God  to  man,  but  none  that  produces  more 
awe  in  my  mind  than  the  dependence  of  mind  and 
body  upon  each  other.  How  severe  are  often  the 
afflictions  inflicted  upon  the  one  by  the  evils  which 
befall  the  other!  and  yet  again,  we  sometimes  see 
the  body  perish  in  agonies,  and  the  soul  renewed  day 
by  day,  until  the  mortal  falls  off  without  a  struggle, 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        255 

and  leaves  the  soul  in  glory;  while  yet  again,  ano- 
ther soul  seems  to  consume  away,  until  the  man 
appears  to  walk  the  earth,  in  health  and  full  enjoy- 
ment of  earth  and  earthly  things,  without  a  living 
soul,  more  than  the  beasts  that  perish.  May  we  die 
the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  our  last  end  be  like 
his;  and  for  this  end,  as  well  as  that  we  may  enter 
into  the  joys  of  our  Lord,  where  Christ  sits  at  the 
right  hand  of  God,  let  us,  dearest ,  renew  con- 
tinually our  covenant  with  God,  and  count  all  things 
as  less  than  nothing,  which  have  no  bearing  upon 
our  spiritual  good.  I  read  yesterday  some  reflec- 
tions upon  the  importance  of  exercising  personal 
influence.  Baxter's  'Saint's  Rest'  converted  Dod- 
dridge,  Doddridge  wrote  the  '  Rise  and  Progress/ 
this  converted  Wilberforce,  Wilberforce's  'Practical 
View'  converted  Legh  Richmond.  Now,  consider 
the  blessing  conferred  upon  the  earth  by  the  influ- 
ence of  all  these  great  men  and  their  works,  and 
think  how  little  the  instrument  of  God,  who  planted 
and  watered  the  seed  to  which  God  gave  such  in- 
crease, in  the  heart  of  that  poor  little  sickly  child, 
Richard  Baxter,  knew  of  what  she  was  doing.  Take 

courage,  dearest .    The  smallest  things  are  most 

apt  to  be  magnified  by  God  to  his  own  glory;  and 
if  you  labour  and  pray  in  faith  for  these  children 
that  He  has  given  you,  who  knows  but  you  may 

live  to  see a  preacher  of  the  glorious  Gospel, 

perhaps  a  successful  missionary,  and  those  precious 


256  A  MEMOIR 

little  girls !    You  and  I  have  no  right  to  doubt 

but  that  we  ourselves  are  of  that  holy  priesthood, 
that  peculiar  people,  whom  God  has  made  and  not 

man,  who  are  heirs  of  salvation;  and  so  may 

and be.     Do  not  doubt  it.     You  have  three 

very  promising  and  interesting  beings  committed 
to  your  teaching,  and  be  satisfied. 

"But  now,  dearest ,  I  am  anxious  to  know  if 

there  is  any  serious  indisposition  of  body;  if  so,  try 
change  of  air.  Come  up  to  me.  I  love  you,  my 
dear  child,  as  one  of  my  own  family,  and  since  I 

hear  you  are  not  well,  I  am  anxious  to  see  you 

Courage,  my  own  dear  child!  remember  you  are 
an  elect  angel,  and  wait  with  patience  your  appointed 
time.  Write  to  me,  and  be  sure  to  tell  me  how 
you  are,  and  every  thing  you  are  thinking  about. 
Yours,  with  supplication,  to  the  Author  and  Giver  of 
all  good,  for  your  temporal  and  eternal  happiness." 


«  October  3. 

"Thank  you,  my  dearest ,  for  your  kind  letter. 

Why  talk  to  me  of  flattering  you  ?     Dear  , 

let  not  so  odious  a  word  be  ever  named  between  us. 
May  the  blessing  of  language  be  taken  from  me  if 
ever  I  knowingly  flatter,  or  fail  to  be  candid  with 
you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you.  I  desire,  above  all 
things,  to  feel  that  you  have  written  to  me  impul- 
sivelyr,  because  I  value  your  soul's  immortal  good, 
and  I  would  like  to  know  that  your  heart  was  set 


OT  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.       257 

upon  heavenly  things,  that  you  were  bent  upon 
making  your  calling  and  election  sure,  that  your  eye 
was  ever  upon  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  your  high 
calling  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  that,  with  a  jealous 
anxiety,  you  were  labouring  to  secure  the  spotless 
robe  of  Christ's  righteousness.  'Keep  yourself  un- 
spotted from  the  world!'  I  have  watched  over  you 
for  one  year  with  a  Christian  mother's  heart,  and 
none  but  a  mother  could  appreciate  the  deep  inte- 
rest I  feel  in  your  welfare. 

«  October  10th. 

"Since  the  first  date,  dearest ,  this  page  has 

been  lying  waiting  for  me  to  have  time  to  continue 
it,  and,  at  this  distance  of  time,  I  have  to  send  it. 

I  have  really  not  had  an  hour  since,  free 

from  important  engagements,  and  I  must  send  the 
fragment  to  show  you  that  it  is  not  because  I  do 
not  love  you,  and  think  of  you,  that  I  do  not  write. 

Believe,  dear ,  under  all  circumstances,  that  I 

love  you  dearly,  and  pray  for  the  choicest  blessings 
of  God  for  you.  Write  to  me  when  you  can. 
Love  me,  and  be  sure  to  meet  me  in  heaven.  If 
we  both  strive  lawfully,  we  shall  have  sweet  and 
holy  communion  in  the  mansions  that  our  blessed 
Saviour  will  inhabit  with  us.  Remember  me  affec- 
tionately to  your  household.  A  common  interest 
binds  me  to  them  all,  and  you  are  that  bond  of 
union.  Take  the  pin  I  gave  you  to  the  jeweller's, 
22* 


258  A  MEMOIR 

and  have  engraved  on  the  back,  'Love  not   the 
world,'  and  keep  it  as  a  memento. 

"Farewell.  I  am  ever  the  same,  and  thank  God 
daily  that  he  sent  you  to  Belmont." 

The  latest  effort  of  Miss  Mercer's  pen  was  the 
letter  to  Miss  Coxe,  which  has  been  given,  as  sent 
to  her,  on  a  previous  page.  A  rough  draft,  (the 
only  rough  draft  of  her  letters  known  to  exist,  she 
ever  wrote,  as  she  spoke,  with  perfect  readiness  and 
great  precision,  and  sent  her  letters  as  the  first 
impress  of  her  mind,)  contains  the  following  addi- 
tional paragraphs,  which  her  modest  feeling  caused 
her  to  suppress,  but  which  may  well  be  introduced 
as  the  conclusion  of  her  character. 

"  I  hold  evening  prayers,  and  have  for  twenty 
years  been  in  the  habit  of  reading  a  chapter  and 
selecting  from  it  some  striking  practical  text  to 
enforce  by  such  appeals  as  I  am  able  to  make  to 
their  hearts  and  consciences.  In  the  commence- 
ment of  the  session  I  seldom  see  any  marked  inte- 
rest in  the  subject,  but  after  a  winter  spent  in  regular 
exercises,  a  sermon,  or  any  unexpected  circumstance, 
as  the  reading  aloud  of  a  fine  tract,  such  as  Little 
Jane,  or  the  Dairyman's  Daughter,  seems  to  fall  like 
a  spark  among  combustibles;  the  heat  is  communi- 
cated by  sympathy,  as  electrically,  and  soon  the 
whole  school  is  in  a  state  of  irrepressible  feeling; 
for  observe,  however  I  labour  to  excite  feeling  where 
there  is  none,  I  exert  myself  to  the  utmost  to  check 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.         259 

the  fervour  of  this  feeling,  so  as  to  put  out  the  ani- 
mal heat,  which  may  have  been  generated  in  the 
deep  fermentation.  I  endeavour  to  test  the  reality 
of  the  impression  which  has  been  made,  and  I  have 
never  found  but  that  real  feeling  became  stronger 
by  such  opposition. 

",1  am  growing  so  old  that  nothing  affords  me 
more  grateful  emotion  than  to  find  such  zeal  and 
abilities  as  you  appear  to  possess,  employed  in  the 
service  of  God  in  a  field  of  labour  so  capable  of 
rendering  an  abundant  return,  and  in  which  I  have 
found  so  few  engage  in  a  right  spirit.  May  such  a 
missionary  be  raised  up  to  take  the  place  which  I 
must  soon  vacate. 

"  I  look  around  in  vain  for  a  brave,  and  noble, 
and  fearless,  and  daring  faith,  which 

"'Holds  no  parley  with  unmanly  fears, 
Where  duty  points,  still  confidently  steers; 
Faces  a  thousand  dangers  at  her  call, 
And  trusting  in  her  God  surmounts  them  all.' 

"  I  have  first-rate  teachers,  but  they  are  modest, 
and  have  not  that  confident  zeal  which  arrests  the 
feelings  of  the  young  and  holds  them  bound.  It  is 
certainly  a  peculiar  talent  which  God  commits  to 
some,  and  which  even  superior  minds  do  not  always 
possess,  that  of  speaking  freely  to  the  young.  I 
nothing  extenuate,  but  I  generally  make  them  admit 
that  I  set  down  naught  in  malice,  and  under  this 


260  A  MEMOIR 

impression  nothing  offends  them.  But  I  am  afraid 
of  egotism;  for,  after  all,  I  have  nothing  to  add  to 
my  first  confession,  that  "God  has  blessed  me." 
May  He  bless  you,  dear  madam,  is  the  sincere  prayer 
of  your  friend  in  Christ,  M.  MERCER. 

We  are  now  approaching  the  period  at  which  this 
sanctified  servant  of  the  Lord  was  to  change  her  state 
of  existence;  to  pass  from  the  sphere  of  our  vision, 
which  she  had  gladdened  with  the  rays  of  light  re- 
flected upon  us  from  the  face  of  that  Saviour  whom 
she  so  loved  and  served. 

The  approach  of  this  period  was  manifested  to  all 
but  herself,  as  much  by  the  softened  yet  increased 
radiance  she  shed  around  her,  as  by  the  failure  of 
the  frail  yet  beauteous  tenement,  in  which  the  spirit 
was  enshrined.  It  was  not  cnly  that  the  "  battered 
and  decaying  cottage  of  the  soul  let  in  new  light" 
through  the  rending  walls  which  foretokened  its 
taking  down,  but  the  same  enlarging  rents  gave  exit 
also  to  brighter  rays.  The  approaching  marriage  of 
a  niece,  over  whose  development  of  character  and 
growth  to  womanhood  she  had  watched  with  an 
interest  almost,  if  not  quite,  maternal,  called  forth 
anxious  efforts  to  promote  her  happiness  and  that  of 
her  family,  in  addition  to  the  usual  exertions  of  her 
school.  While  she  herself  appeared  not  to  realize 
her  position,  at  least  took  no  direct  notice  of  it,  to 
those  around  her  all  her  goings  out  and  in  among 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        261 

those  to  whose  comfort  and  blessing  she  had  so  long 
ministered,  partook  of  a  hallowed  influence,  such  as 
is  communicated  to  the  heart  by  that  touching  lan- 
guage of  the  apostle  at  Miletus,  "Behold,  now  I 
know  that  all  you  who  have  seen  my  going  out  and 
coming  in  among  you  shall  see  my  face  no  more." 
At  the  time  of  the  marriage  festivities,  she  left  Bel- 
mont  for  Cedar  Park,  and  there  entered,  with  all  the 
animation  and  zest  of  affectionate  interest,  into  the 
happiness  of  that  occasion.  She  now,  as  always, 
took  pleasure  in  witnessing  and  promoting  the  hap- 
piness of  others,  and  mingled  freely  and  with  cheer- 
ful sympathy  in  the  large  and  loving  circle  of  rela- 
tives and  friends  there  assembled.  But  as  they 
gazed  upon  her,  it  was  to  feel  toward  her  as  toward 
a  higher  and  holier  intelligence;  "Velut,  inter 
slellas  luna  minores."  It  was  during  the  time  now 
spent  at  Cedar  Park  that  the  author  was  favoured 
with  his  last  intercourse  with  her.  There  was  one 
evening  especially  impressed  upon  him.  Feeling 
conscious  that  the  frailty  of  her  body  needed  rest, 
she  forsook  for  a  few  hours  the  house  of  feasting, 
and  spent  them  with  himself  and  family  in  quiet  in- 
tercourse. The  place  was  endeared  to  her  by  early 
associations.  It  had  been  the  residence  of  one  of 
whom  she  spoke  frequently  after  the  death  of  her 
own  mother,  as  occupying  a  place  in  her  heart  se- 
cond to  that  only  which  none  but  a  mother  can  fill 
—a  house  to  which  from  her  earliest  years  she  had 


262  A  MEMOIR 

been  accustomed  to  resort  with  all  the  freedom  of 
affectionate  interest  in  its  occupants;  and  where, 
moreover,  she  had  put  forth  frequent  and  strenuous 
efforts  to  bind  up  the  broken-hearted,  and  minister 
not  only  the  comfort  of  sympathy,  but  spiritual 
instruction  and  consolation  to  those  who  mourned 
under  severe  afflictions;  and  she  came  to  transfer 
the  same  feelings  to  those  by  whom  it  was  now  oc 
cupied,  who  had  ever  looked  up  to  her  with  reverent 
affection.  To  describe  the  circumstances  or  detail 
the  conversation  which  passed,  were  impossible.  In 
the  souls  of  those  of  kindred  feelings  it  may  be  that 
a  mere  allusion  to  them  will  awaken  the  vibrations 
of  kindred  chords,  and  thus  enable  them  to  form  a 
conception  of  their  character.  It  was  one  of  those 
occasions,  "privileged  beyond  the  common  walk  of 
life."  She  looked  around  upon  the  beauties  of  nature, 
and  upward  to  the  starry  heavens,  and  in  each  found 
a  theme.  But  for  every  theme  she  had  a  higher  in- 
spiration, and  dwelt  upon  the  beauties  of  earth,  and 
the  glories  of  heaven,  till  it  appeared  as  though  she 
were  some  strong  spiritual  intelligence,  bearing  us 
upward  in  her  own  heavenward  flight  toward  the 
very  footstool  of  the  throne  of  the  Majesty  on  high  5 
and  as  the  language  of  love  fell  from  her  lips, 

u  Celestial  odours  filled  the  circuit  wide, 
And  told  us  whence  her  treasures  were  supplied." 

Yet  while  her  spiritual  and  intellectual  powers 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.       263 

were  thus  vigorous,  so  feeble  was  her  bodily  frame, 
that  it  was  not  without  painful  apprehension  we 
watched  the  indescribable  brightness  of  her  eye,  and 
listened  to  the  rich  melody  of  her  voice;  and  when 
at  a  late  hour  she  parted  from  us,  it  was  with  the  full 
conviction  that  we  should  meet  no  more  unless  to 
partake  together  of  kindred  and  yet  purer  joys,  in 
the  courts  of  that  mansion  toward  which  she  had 
been  the  instrument  of  thus  drawing  our  souls. 

Before  returning  to  Belmont,  it  had  been  her  in- 
tention to  make  an  excursion  to  the  North,  in  hope 
of  invigorating  her  frame  for  the  renewal  of  those 
duties  to  which  she  had  been  so  long  devoted,  and 
in  the  discharge  of  which  she  had  determined  to 
spend  her  strength  to  the  very  last.  But  the  ac- 
count reached  her  of  the  sickness  of  a  friend  in 
Virginia,  whom  she  loved  most  tenderly,  and  con- 
trary to  the  judgment  and  wishes  of  those  friends 
about  her,  she  determined  to  abandon  the  excursion 
for  her  own  benefit,  and  hasten  to  the  comfort  of 
the  sick. 

Upon  her  return  from  this  visit  a  circumstance 
occurred  which  exhibits  at  once  the  decided  cha- 
racter of  her  mind,  and  the  influence  which  a  feeble 
instrument  may  produce  when  dedicated  to  the  ser- 
vice of  God,  and  accompanied  in  its  actings  by  the 
power  of  his  Spirit.  It  was  necessary  for  her  to 
take  the  steamboat  from  Norfolk  to  Baltimore,  and 
she  planned  her  journey  so  that  she  should  embark 


264  A  MEMOIR 

upon  it  on  the  Saturday  afternoon,  and  reach  Balti- 
more at  a  very  early  hour  on  the  next  morning. 
Driving  into  town  without  inquiry,  she  was  put  upon 
the  boat  just  as  it  left  the  wharf.  It  would  be  im- 
possible for  any  one  not  familiar  with  her  character 
to  judge  of  her  dismay,  when,  too  late  to  recede,  she 
discovered  that  the  boat  was  not  to  make  its  usual 
trip,  but  conveyed  a  party  of  pleasure  with  a  band 
of  music  and  preparations  for  spending  the  sacred 
day  in  dancing  and  merriment  upon  the  water.  At 
the  breakfast  table,Miss  Mercer  made  some  remarks, 
the  tenor  of  which  is  unknown,  but  the  effect  was 
such  that  this  purpose  was  laid  aside,  at  least  so  far 
as  the  noisy  revelry  was  concerned.  Thus  was  her 
unflinching  discharge  of  duty  instrumental  in  pro- 
moting her  own  comfort,  and  we  may  well  indulge 
the  hope  that  its  ultimate  effect  upon  the  souls  of 
some  may  be  found  to  glory  and  honour  in  the  day 
of  the  appearing  of  that  Lord  whom  she  loved  and 
glorified. 

She  reached  Belmont  in  a  state  of  great  exhaus- 
tion of  body,  and  appears  to  have  entertained  seri- 
ously an  intention  to  abandon  her  more  extended 
engagements,  and  devote  herself  to  the  instruction 
of  a  limited  number  of  pupils.  She  felt  that  the  care 
of  her  large  establishment  was  too  much  for  her  en- 
feebled physical  powers,  and  yet  the  energy  of  the 
intellect  and  the  warmth  of  the  spirit  were  un- 
quenched,  and  the  same  singleness  of  purpose  and 


OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.        265 

determination  of  mind  which  enabled  her  to  enter 
upon  the  path  of  duty  when  few  would  have  failed 
to  find  sufficient  reason  for  self-indulgence  in  her 
feeble  health,  still  urged  her  to  persevere  until  she 
should  fall,  worn  out  in  the  service  of  her  Master. 

Of  this  determination  she  spake  little,  or  not  at 
all,  to  her  friends  and  associates.  It  is  chiefly  in- 
ferred from  the  fact  of  her  having  at  this  time  pre- 
pared an  advertisement  of  the  Belmont  property  for 
sale.  Though  there  were  circumstances  which 
pressed  with  peculiar  power  upon  her  spirits  at  this 
time,  she  continued  to  discharge  her  duties  with  her 
wonted  energy  and  cheerfulness,  and  so  utterly  un- 
mindful of  her  own  condition,  and  disregardful  of 
what  was  necessary  for  her  own  health,  that  within 
a  very  short  period  of  her  death  she  spent  two  con- 
secutive nights  in  watching  by  the  bed-side  of  some 
pupils  who  were  sick. 

But  the  hour  of  her  departure  was  at  hand. 
Wasted  and  worn  out  in  the  service  of  her  soul,  the 
body  by  which  it  was  enthralled  was  now  to  be  laid 
aside.  Willing  as  she  was  still  to  labour  in  the 
cause  of  her  Redeemer,  patience  had  accomplished 
its  perfect  work.  The  appointed  time  was  come,  at 
which  she  was  to  hear  the  glad  announcement  of 
"Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant!  enter  thou 
into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord."  The  urgency  of  her 
cough,  together  with  the  feebleness  of  her  frame, 
rendered  it  necessary  to  resort  to  remedies,  the  in- 
23 


266  A  MEMOIR 

fluence  of  which  kept  her  slumbering,  and  thus  pre- 
vented her  from  the  expression  of  her  feelings  at 
this  time.  However  consoling  it  might  have  been 
to  listen  to  the  unfoldings  of  the  spirit  just  ready  to 
enter  upon  its  recompense  of  reward,  there  could  be 
no  necessity  for  any  other  testimony  of  her  accep- 
tance than  that  afforded  by  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  so 
long  produced  in  her  daily  devotion  to  the  service 
of  her  Lord; -and  with  the  simple  declaration  of  the 
apostle,  that  it  was  "Jar  belter  to  depart  and  be 
with  Christ"  as  her  only  but  all-sufficient  evidence 
of  the  prospect  before  her,  she  "rested  from  her 
labours." 

The  following  letter,  written  by  one  who  had 
been  for  years  associated  with  her  in  those  labours, 
and  who  partook  largely  of  her  affections,  conveys 
the  sad  detail  of  the  closing  scene: 

"  She  was  in  the  first  instance  attacked  by  one 
of  her  usual  bad  colds,  and  kept  her  room  for  seve- 
ral days,  and  sent  for  the  physician,  who  resorted 
to  his  usual  remedy,  a  blister,  which  seemed  to  re- 
lieve her;  and  after  three  days  of  confinement  she 
told  us  all  that  she  was  much  better,  and  hoped 
soon  to  be  down  stairs.  Her  cough,  however,  was 
so  violent  on  Wednesday,  that  she  was  quite  ex- 
hausied  by  it,  and  appeared  alarmingly  weak.  Miss 
I.  and  myself  were  sitting  in  her  room  about  nine 
o'clock,  when  she  called  Miss  I.  to  her  and  said  she 
wished  her  to  take  my  usual  place  by  her  side  that 


OP  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER.  267 

night.  I  accordingly  went  down  stairs  to  sleep, 
but  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  was  roused, 
and  hastened  to  the  room.  As  I  approached  the 
foot  of  the  bed,  I  heard  her  say,  *  Gone!  I  am  gone!' 
Mrs.  M.  replied, '  Do  not  say  so,  my  darling  sister.' 
Her  answer  was,  'lam  not  afraid  to  die;  it  is 
sweet  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ?  We  sent 
immediately  for  the  physician,  but  it  was  too  late. 
From  four  in  the  morning  to  about  two  p.  M.,  she 
continued  in  a  kind  of  stupor,  only  reviving  now 
and  then  to  take  nourishment,  and  then  calmly  and 
gently  breathed  her  last." 

It  were  impossible,  even  were  it  attempted,  for 
any  pen  to  delineate  the  sad  effect  of  the  death  of 
Miss  Mercer,  not  only  upon  her  immediate  house- 
hold and  friends,  but  upon  the  neighbourhood  she 
had  so  signally  blessed.  She  found  it,  in  a  moral 
point  of  view,  a  wilderness,  and  by  her  labours  it, 
had  been  made  truly  to  blossom  as  the  rose.  Where 
only  ten  short  years  before  she  had  met  with  nothing 
but  hostility  to  her  plans,  she  now  experienced  no 
other  feeling  than  love.  Those  who  had  resorted 
to  every  means  in  their  power  to  thwart  her  efforts, 
impair  her  usefulness,  and  destroy  her  reputation, 
now  mourned  over  her  loss  as  that  of  a  benefactor; 
and  not  only  her  sorrowing  friends  and  bereaved 
pupils  and  companions  in  labour,  but  the  whole  po- 
pulation by  which  she  was  surrounded,  assembled 
in  the  little  church,  which  she  had  reared  in  their 


• 


268        A  MEMOIR  OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER. 

midst  by  her  own  exertions,  and  to  which  she  fondly 
looked  as  the  means  of  perpetuating  the  influence 
she  had  laboured  to  establish  among  them,  to  pay  a 
sorrowing  tribute  to  her  worth; — and  there  beneath 
its  hallowed  chancel  rest  her  loved  remains. 

A  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev. 
George  Adie,  who  had  been  so  long  and  so  inti- 
mately associated  with  her  in  her  efforts  at  useful- 
ness, commemorative  of  her  worth  and  the  grief  of 
her  friends. 


THE   END. 


BETHUNE'S  POEMS, 

LINDSAY   &   BLAKISTON   PUBLISH, 

LAYS    OF    LOVE    AND    FAITH, 

WITH   OTHER 

FUGITIVE   POEMS. 

BY   THE 

REV.   G.   W.   BETHUNE,   D.D. 

This  is  an  elegant  Volume,  beautifully  printed  on  the  finest  and  whitest 
paper,  and  richly  bound  in  various  styles. 


As  one  arranges  in  a  simple  vase 

A  little  store  of  unpretending  flowers, 

So  gathered  I  some  records  of  past  hours, 
And  trust  them,  gentle  reader,  to  thy  grace. 
Nor  hope  that  in  my  pages  thou  wilt  trace 

The  brilliant  proof  of  high  poetic  powers; 
But  dear  memorials  of  happy  days, 

When  heaven  shed  blessings  on  my  heart  like  shower*, 
Clothing  with  beauty  e'en  the  desert  place; 
Till  I,  with  thankful  gladness  in  my  looks, 

Turned  me  to  God,  sweet  nature,  loving  friends, 
Christ's  little  children,  well-worn  ancient  books. 

The  charm  of  Art,  the  rapture  music  sends ; 
And  sang  away  the  grief  that  on  man's  lot  attends. 


OPINIONS   OF  THE   PRESS. 

We  beg  leave  to  express  our  thanks  to  the  diligent  author  of  these  Poems,  for  this 
additional  and  highly  valuable  contribution  to  the  treasures  of  American  literature. 
The  prose  writings  of  Dr.  Bethune,  by  their  remarkably  pure  and  chaste  language, 
their  depth  and  clearness  of  thought,  their  force  and  beauty  of  illustration,  and  by  their 
intelligent  and  elevated  piety,  have  justly  secured  to  him  a  place  with  the  very  best 
authors  of  our  land,  whose  works  are  destined  to  exert  a  wide-spread  and  most  salutary 
influence  on  the  forming  character  and  expanding  mind  of  our  growing  republic.  This 
volume  of  his  collected  poetry,  though  it  be,  as  the  author  observes  in  his  beautiful 
introductory  sonnet,  but  the  "  gathered  records  of  past  hours,"  or  the  fruit  of  moments 
of  industrious  relaxation  from  more  severe  labours,  may  without  fear  take  its  place  by 
the  side  of  our  best  poetic  productions ;  and  there  are  many  pieces  in  it,  which,  for 
accuracy  of  rhythm,  for  refined  sentiment,  energy  of  thought,  flowing  and  lucid  ex- 
pression, and  subduing  pathos,  are  unsurpassed  by  any  writer. 

Exteriorly,  and  in  the  matters  of  paper  and  typography,  this  is  an  elegant  volume, 
and  so  far  is  a  fitting  casket  for  the  gems  it  contains — for  gems  these  beautiful  poems 
are,  of  "purest  ray  serene" — lustrous  jewels — ornaments  of  purest  virgin  gold.  • 

Many  hallowed  breathings  will  be  found  among  the  poems  here  collected — all  distin- 
guished by  correct  taste  and  refined  feeling,  rarely  dazzling  by  gorgeous  imagery,  but 
always  charming  by  their  purity  and  truthfulness  to  nature. — Jf.  Y.  Commercial. 

The  author  of  this  volume  has  a  gifted  mind,  improved  byextensive  education;  a 
cheerful  temper,  chastened  by  religion ;  a  sound  taste,  refined  and  improved  by  extensive 
observation  and  much  reading,  and  the  gift  of  poetry. — JVortA  American. 

The  Volume  before  us  contains  much  that  is  truly  beautiful ;  many  gems  that  sparkle 
with  genius  and  feeling.  They  are  imbued  with  the  true  spirit  of  poesy,  and  may  be 
read  again  and  again  with  pleasure.— Inquirer. 


LINDSAY  &,  BLAKISTON  PUBLISH, 

SCENES  IN  THE  LIVES  OF  THE  PATRIARCHS 
AND  PROPHETS; 

A    COMPANION    TO    THE 

SCENES  IN  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  SAVIOUR  AND  THE  APOSTLES, 

EDITED  BY  THE  REV.  II.  HASTINGS  WELD. 

BEAUTIFULLY  ILLUSTRATED  BF 
EIGHT   ENGRAVINGS    ON    STEEL,   BY  SAHTAIN. 

INCLUDING 

Saul  presenting  his  Daughter  to  David Painted  by  Woodforde. 

A  View  of  Hebron,  Vignette  Title-page. ...  "  Bracebridge. 

God's  Covenant  with  Noah "  Rothermel. 

Abraham  Offering  up  Isaac .. . .  "  Westall. 

The  Arrival  of  Rebekah «  Schopin. 

Jacob  at  the  House  of  Laban «  Schopin. 

Moses  Smiting  the  Rock ^.  «  Murillo. 

Elijah  Fed  by  Ravens "  Corbould. 

With  a  choice  Selection  of  Matter  from  the  Writings  of 

MILTON,  HEMANS,  WOHDSWORTH,  CROLT,  WILLIS,  YOUNG,  SIGOUBITEY, 

WHITTIEH,  HOWITT,  SCOTT,  HEBEB,  MONTGOMERY,  MILMAIT, 

HANNAH  MORE,  WATTS,  DALE,  TAPPAIT,  and  other 

Eminent  Writers  of  this  and  other  Countries. 

Handsomely  bound  in  cloth  gilt,  Turkey  Morocco,  or  in  white  calf. 


OPINIONS   OF   THE   PRESS. 

The  character  of  the  scenes  represented,  the  pure  and  eloquent  sacred  poetry  which 
the  work  contains,  render  it  a  book  peculiarly  befitting  presentation  at  that  season  when 
the  world  is  celebrating  the  birth  of  its  Saviour.  We  hope  this  joint  effort  of  the  pencil 
and  pen  to  render  familiar  the  sacred  scenes  of  the  Old  Testament,  will  meet  the  support 
which  it  deserves  from  all  lovers  of  the  sacred  volume. — Christian  Jidcacatc  and  Journal. 

We  do  but  simple  justice  when  we  declare,  that  it  has  seldom  fallen  to  our  lot  to 
notice  a  book  which  possesses  so  many  and  such  varied  attractions.  Mr.  Weld  has 
gathered  from  the  best  writers  the  most  beautiful  of  their  works,  in  illustration  of  his 
theme,  and  prepared  for  the  reader  a  rich  repast.  We  are  assured  that  the  volume  before 
us  will,  like  those  which  preceded  it,  come  acceptably  before  the  public,  and  be  a  favourite 
offering  during  the  approaching  holiday  season. — Graham's  Magazine. 

It  is  a  handsome  octavo,  beautifully  illustrated  with  engravings  on  steel,  in  Sartain's 
best  manner.  It  is  published  in  uniform  style  with  "  The  Scenes  in  the  Life  of  the 
Saviour,"  and  is  every  way  worthy  to  continue  this  fine  series  of  scriptural  works. 
The  literary  portion  of  the  volume  is  admirably  chosen,  embracing  many  of  the  most 
distinguished  names  in  America.  As  a  work  of  art,  it  is  a  credit  to  the  book-making 
of  our  country.— Boston  Atlas. 

This  is  pre-eminently  a  book  of  beauty— printed  in  the  best  style,  on  the  finest  and 
fairest  paper,  and  embellished  with  the  richest  specimens  of  the  engraver's  art.  Its 
contents  comprise  a  choice  selection  from  the  writings  of  celebrated  poets,  illustrative 
of  the  character,  the  countries,  and  of  the  times  of  the  Patriarchs  and  Prophets.  The 
elevated  spirit  and  character  of  the  sacred  poetry  in  this  volume,  as  well  as  its  surpass- 
ing beauty,  will  render  it  peculiarly  valuable  as  a  present  or  an  ornament  for  the  parlour 
table. — Christian  Observer. 


LINDSAY  &  BLAKISTON  PUBLISH, 

THE  MIRROR  OF  LIFE, 

A  TRULY   AMERICAN    BOOK,  ENTIRELY   ORIGINAL, 

PRESENTING  A  VIEW  OF  THE  PROGRESS  OF  LIFE, 

FROM  INFANCY  TO   OLD   AGE: 

Illustrated  by  a  series  of  Eleven  Engravings,  beautifully 
executed  on  Steel, 

BY  J.  SARTAIN,  PHILADELPHIA, 

INCLUDINa 

Infancy,  (Vignette  Title,)  Designed by  Schmitz. 

Childhood,  Painted "  Eichholtz. 

Boyhood,  (Frontispiece,)  Painted "  Osgood. 

Girlhood "  Rossiter. 

Maidenhood "  Rotbermel. 

The  Bride "  Rossiter. 

The  Mother "  Rossiter. 

The  Widow „  «  Rossiter. 

Manhood,  Designed "  Rothermel. 

Old  Age £. .  «  Rothermel. 

The  Shrouded  Mirror,  Designed '. . .  .  "  Rev.  Dr.  Morton. 

The  literary  contents  comprise  original  articles  in  prose  and  verse,  from 

the  pens  of 

RET.  G.  W.  BET-HUSK,  REV.  CLEMENT  M.  BUTLER,  MRS.  SIOOURNET,  MRS. 

OseooD,  MRS.  HALE,  MRS.  ELLET,  J.  T.  HEADLET,  REV.  M.  A.  DE 

WOLFE  HOWE,  Miss  SEDOWICK,  REV.  WM.  B.  SPRAOCE,  REV. 

H.  HASTINGS  WELD,  Miss  CAROLINE  E.  ROBERTS,  BUSUBOD 

BARTLETT,  ESQ..,  ALICE  G.  LEE,  HOPE  HESSELTINE, 

AND   OTHER   FAVOURITE  AUTHORS   OP   OUR   OWN  COUNTRY. 

EDITED  BY  MRS.  L.  C.  TUTHILL, 

And  richly  bound  in  various  styles. 


OPINIONS  OF   THE   PRESS. 

This  is  an  elegant  volume ;  with  an  excellent  design,  combining  all  that  is  attractive 
in  typographical  execution,  with  beautiful  engravings,  it  illustrates  the  progress  of 
human  life  in  a  series  of  mezzotints  of  the  most  finished  style.  These  handsome  pic- 
tures present  boyhood  and  girlhood,  the  lover  and  the  loved,  the  bride  and  the  mother, 
the  widow  and  old  age,  with  many  other  scenes  that  will  leave  a  pleasing  and  salutary 
impression.  The  literary  department  is  executed  by  a  variety  of  able  and  entertaining 
writers,  forming  altogether  a  beautiful  gift-book,  appropriate  to  all  seasons. — JV*.  Y.  Ob- 
server. 


A  most  beautiful  gem  of  a  book,  and  a  superb  specimen  of  artistical  skill,  as  well  as 
a  "Mirror  of  Life."  As  a  brilliant  and  tasteful  ornament  for  the  centre-table,  or  a 
memento  of  affection  and  good  wishes,  to  be  presented  in  the  form  of  a  Birthday, 
Christmas,  or  New  Year's  gift,  to  a  friend,  it  is  richly  entitled  to  the  consideration  and 
patronage  of  the  public.—  Christian  Observer. 


The  idea  is  a  happy  one,  and  the  work  is  every  way  worthy  of  its  subject.  Without 
being  too  costly,  it  is  in  every  respect  a  very  handsome  volume ;  the  sentiments  it  con- 
tains are  not  only  unobjectionable,  but  salutary ;  and  we  cannot  conceive  a  gift  of  the 
kind  which,  between  intelligent  friends,  would  be  more  acceptable  to  the  receiver  or 
honourable  to  the  giver.— JV.  Y.  Commercial. 


SCENES  IN  THE  LIVES  OF  THE  APOSTLES; 

ILLUSTRATED    BY 

CELEBRATED  POETS  AND  PAINTERS. 

EDITED    DY 

H.  HASTINGS  WELD. 
Eight  Illustrations,  beautifully  Engraved  on  Steel,  by  Sartain. 

Christ's  chnrge  to  Peter,  by  Raphael ; 
Peter  and  John  healing  the  Lame  Man  at  the 
Beautiful  Gate  of  the  Temple,  by  Raphael ; 
Paul  before  Agrippa,  by  Sartain  ; 
John  on  the  Isle  of  Patmos,  by  Uecaine. 


The  Redeemer,  painted  by  Decaine — Frontis- 
piece ;  = 

Antioch  in  Syria,  by  Harding— Vignette  title ; 

John  reproving  Herod,  by  Le  Brun  ; 

Christ,  with  Ins  Disciples,  weeping  over  Jerusa- 
lem, by  Begas ; 


THE  LITERARY  CONTENTS  CONSIST  OF  UPWARDS  OF  SEVENTY  POEMS,  BY 

Bishop  Heber,  Lowell,  Keble,  Hannah  F.  Gould,  Clark,  Mrs. 
Hemans,  Mrs.  Sigourney,  Darton,  Bryant,  Miss  Landon,  Tap- 
pan,  Pierpont,  Longfellow,  Miss  Davidson,  Dale,  Cros- 
well,  Percival,  Bowring,  and  other  celebrated  Poets. 

Beautifully  bound,  in  various  styles,  to  match  "  Scenes  in  the  Life 
of  the  Saviour." 

We  do  not  know  where  we  could  find  a  more  elegant  and  appropriate 
present  for  a  Christian  friend.  It  will  always  have  value.  It  is  not  one  of 
those  ephemeral  works  which  are  read,  looked  at,  and  forgotten.  It  tells  of 
scenes  dear  to  the  hearts  of  Christians,  which  must  ever  find  there  an  abiding 
place. — Banner  of  the  Cross. 

Here  is  truly  a  beautiful  volume,  admirable  in  design,  and  perfect  in  its 
execution.  The  editor,  with  a  refined  taste,  and  a  loving  appreciation  of 
Scripture  history,  has  selected  some  of  the  best  writings  of  ancient  and  modern 
authors  in  illustration  of  various  scenes  in  the  Lives  of  the  Apostles,  whilst 
his  own  facile  pen  has  given  us  in  prose  a  series  of  excellent  contributions. 
The  lyre  of  Heber  seems  to  vibrate  again  as  we  turn  over  its  pages  ;  and 
Keble,  Jenner,  Cowper,  Herrick,  Bernard,  Barton,  and  a  brilliant  host  of 
glowing  writers,  shine  again  by  the  light  of  Christian  truth,  and  the  beaming 
effulgence  of  a  pure  religion.  It  is  an  elegant  and  appropriate  volume  for  a 
Christmas  gift. — Transcript. 

The  exterior  is  novel  and  beautiful ;  the  typography  is  in  the  highest  style 
of  the  art ;  and  the  engravings,  nine  in  number,  are  among  the  best  efforts 
of  Mr.  Sartain.  The  prose  articles  contributed  by  the  editor  are  well  written  ; 
and  the  poetical  selections  are  made  with  judgment.  The  volume  is  a  worthy 
companion  of  "  Scenes  in  the  Life  of  the  Saviour,"  and  both  are  much  more 
worthy  of  Christian  patronage  than  the  great  mass  of  annuals. — Presbyterian. 


The  above  volumes  are  among  the  most  elegant  specimens  from  the 
American  press.  In  neatness  and  chasteness  of  execution,  they  are  perhaps 
unsurpassed.  The  engravings  are  of  the  highest  order;  and  illustrate  most 
strikingly,  and  with  great  beauty,  some  of  the  most  sublime  and  the  most 
touching  Scripture  scenes.  They  also  contain  some  of  the  richest  specimens 
of  Sacred  Poetry,  whose  subject  and  style  are  such  as  deeply  to  interest  the 
imagination,  and  at  the  same  time  to  make  the  heart  better.  We  hope  the 
Christian's  table,  at  least,  maybe  adorned  with  the  volumes  above  mentioned, 
and  such  as  these. — New  England  Puritan. 


LINDSAY  &  BLAEISTON 

HAVE  RECENTLY  PUBLISHED, 

SCENES  IN  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  SAVIOUR, 

BY   THE 

POETS  AND   PAINTERS: 

CONTAINING 

MANY    OEMS     OF     ART     AND     GENIUS, 

ILLUSTRATIVE     OF 

THE  SAVIOUR'S  LIFE  AND  PASSION. 

EDITED   BY   THE 

REV.  RUFUS  GRISWOLD. 

THE  ILLUSTRATIONS,  WHICH  ARE  EXQUISITELY  ENGRAVED  ON  STEEL, 
BY  JOHN  SARTAIN,  ARE  : 

Walking  on  the  Sea,  by  Henry  Richter ; 
The  Ten  Lepers,  by  A.  Vandyke : 
The  Last  Sapper,  by  Benjamin  West ; 
The  Women  at  the  Sepulchre,  by  Philip  Viet 


The  Holy  Family,  painted  by  N.  Poussin  ; 
The  Saviour,  bv  Paul  Delaroche ; 
Christ  by  the  Well  of  Sychar,  by  Emelie  Signol ; 
The  Daughter  of  Jarius,  by  Delonne  ; 


THE  LITERARY  CONTENTS,  COMPRISING  SIXTY-FOUR  POEMS,  ARE  BT 

Milton,  Hemaus,  Montgomery,  Ke1>le,  Mrs.  Sisfourney,  Miss  Lian- 

don,  Dale,  Willis,  Bulfinch,  Betbune,  Longfellow,  Whlttier, 

Croly,  Klopstock,  Mrs.  Osgood,  Pierpont,  Crosswell,  and 

other  celebrated  Poets  of  this  and  other  Countries* 

The  volume  is  richly  and  beautifully  bound  in  Turkey  Morocco,  gilt,  white 
calf  extra,  or  embossed  cloth,  gilt  edges,  sides  and  back. 


We  commend  this  volume  to  the  attention  of  those  who  would  place  a 
Souvenir  in  the  hands  of  their  friends,  to  invite  them  in  the  purest  strains  of 
poetry,  and  by  the  eloquence  of  art,  to  study  the  Life  of  the  Saviour. — Christ.  Obt. 


The  contents  are  so  arranged  as  to  constitute  a  Poetical  and  Pictorial  Life 
of  the  Saviour,  and  we  can  think  of  no  more  appropriate  gift-book.  In  typo- 
graphyi  embellishments,  and  binding,  we  have  recently  seen  nothing  more 
tasteful  and  rich. — North  American.  &.- 

We  like  this  book,  as  well  for  its  beauty  as  for  its  elevated  character.  It 
is  just  such  an  one  as  is  suited,  either  for  a  library,  or  a  parlour  centre-table  ; 
and  no  one  can  arise  from  its  perusal  without  feeling  strongly  the  sublimity 
and  enduring  character  of  the  Christian  religion. — Harrisburg  Telegraph. 

This  is  truly  a  splendid  volume  in  all  its  externals,  while  its  contents  are 
richly  worthy  of  the  magnificent  style  in  which  they  are  presented.  As  illus- 
trations of  the  Life  and  Passion  of  the  Saviour  of  mankind,  it  will  form  an 
appropriate  Souvenir  for  the  season  in  which  we  commemorate  his  coming 
upon  earth. — NeaVs  Gazette. 


LINDSAY  &  BLAKISTON'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


A  BOOK  FOR  EVERY  CHRISTIAN, 

THE   SECOND  EDITION. 


MEMOIR  OF  MISS  MARGARET  MERCER. 

BY  CASPAR  MORRIS,  M.D. 

A  neat  18mo.  volume,  with  a  beautiful  Engraved 

PORTRAIT  OF   MISS   MERCER, 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

Miss  Mercer  was  a  daughter  of  the  late  Governor  Mercer,  of  Maryland.  Her  father, 
who  was  a  Virginian,  and  the  descendant  of  a  distinguished  family,  removed  to  Straw- 
berry Hill,  near  Annapolis,  Mil.,  soon  after  his  marriage.  In  the  memoir  of  the  daughter, 
we  have  the  moral  portraiture  of  a  character  of  great  moral  worth.  Miss  Mercer  was 
a  Christian,  who  earnestly  sought  to  promote  the  glory  of  the  Saviour,  in  persevering 
efforts  to  be  useful  in  every  position,  and  especially  as  a  teacher  of  the  young.  Her 
energy  of  mind  and  elevated  principles,  united  with  humility  and  gentleness,  and  devoted 
piety,  illustrated  in  her  useful  life,  rendered  her  example  worthy  of  a  lasting  memorial. 
The  work  is  accompanied  by  numerous  extracts  from  her  correspondence.  —  Christian 
Observer,  ______ 

The  perusal  of  this  Memoir  will  do  good ;  it  shows  how  much  can  be  accomplished  by 
superior  talents,  under  the  control  of  a  heart  imbued  with  love  to  the  Saviour.  The 
contemplation  of  the  character  of  Miss  Mercer  may  lead  others  to  put  forth  similar 
efforts,  and  reap  a  like  reward. — Christian  Chronicle. 

It  is  impossible  to  read  this  Memoir  without  the  conviction  that  Miss  Mercer  wag  a 
very  superior  woman,  both  in  her  attainments  and  her  entire  self-consecration.  In 
laying  down  the  book,  we  feel  alike  admiration  for  the  biographer  and  the  subject  of  the 
Memoir. — Presbyterian. 

WATSON'S  NEW  DICTIONARY  OF  POETICAL  QUOTATIONS. 

A  neat  12mo.  Volume  in  plain  and  extra  bindings. 


A  NEW  DICTIONARY  OF  POETICAL  QUOTATIONS, 

CONSISTING  OP  ELEGANT  EXTRACTS  ON  EVERY  SUBJECT, 

Compiled  from  various  Authors,  and  arranged  under  appropriate  heads, 

BY    JOHN   T.   WATSON,    M.D. 


OPINIONS   OF   THE   PRESS. 

We  may  safely  recommend  this  book  as  a  collection  of  some  of  the  most  beautiful 
conceptions,  elegantly  expressed,  to  be  found  in  the  range  of  English  and  American 
poetry. — Saturday  Courier. 

We  regard  this  as  the  best  book  of  a  similar  character  yet  published. — QcrmanUnen 
Telegraph.  

In  this  Dictionary  of  Quotations  every  subject  is  touched  upon ;  and,  while  the  selec- 
tion has  been  carefully  made,  it  has  the  merit  of  containing  the  best  thoughts  of  the 
Poets  of  our  own  day,  which  no  other  collection  has.—  U.  S.  Gazette. 

The  selections  in  this  book  are  made  with  taste  from  all  poets  of  note,  and  are  classed 
under  a  great  variety  of  subjects. — Presbyterian. 

The  Quotations  appear  to  have  been  selected  with  great  judgment  and  taste,  by  one 
well  acquainted  with  whatever  is  most  elegant  and  beautiful  in  the  whole  range  of 
literature. — Christian  Observer. 


Mf 


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